Sponsors (9)
The bill expands procurement access, mentoring, and transparency for veteran-owned small businesses—giving veterans clearer targets and more direct contracting opportunities—while raising the risk of reduced competition, higher costs for taxpayers, and added administrative burdens on agencies.
Veteran-owned small businesses (including veteran entrepreneurs and small-business owners) will gain substantially expanded direct contracting opportunities (sole-source above the simplified acquisition threshold, eligibility for set-asides, scorecard recognition), increasing near-term access to federal contracts and potential revenue.
Veterans as a group will receive a governmentwide 5% contracting goal and formal inclusion in industry determinations, creating a clear, measurable target that raises the profile of veteran-owned firms and promotes more equitable consideration in procurement programs.
Veteran-owned firms and the public will benefit from improved transparency and accountability because agencies and SBA must report percentages and dollar amounts, maintain listings, and provide more detailed award breakdowns so veterans can track progress and hold agencies accountable.
Taxpayers and the government may face higher procurement costs because expanding sole-source authority, set-asides, and pressure to meet a 5% target can reduce competition and lead to higher prices on some contracts.
The SBA and federal contracting offices will face increased administrative and compliance burdens (database verification, new reporting requirements, responsibility and best-value determinations, scorecard updates), raising workload and potential costs for agencies.
Expanded sole-source authority risks uneven application or misuse across agencies, which could prompt protests, litigation, and procurement delays that harm both contractors and government timelines.
Based on analysis of 8 sections of legislative text.
Creates procurement authorities and a 5% governmentwide contracting goal for small businesses owned and controlled by veterans, plus expanded SBA reporting and program inclusion.
Official title: To amend the Small Business Act to establish a goal for participation by small business concerns owned and controlled by veterans in procurement contracts, and for other purposes.
Introduced February 12, 2026 by Randy Fine · Last progress February 12, 2026
Creates new procurement authorities, goals, and reporting to increase federal contract opportunities for small businesses owned and controlled by veterans. It authorizes limited sole‑source and restricted‑competition awards to eligible veteran‑owned small businesses, sets a governmentwide participation goal of at least 5% of prime and subcontract dollars each year, and requires expanded SBA reporting and inclusion of the veteran‑owned category across existing small‑business programs and scorecards.