(a) In an effort to increase contracting opportunities for Veterans, depending on the evaluation factors included in the solicitation, VA will evaluate responses received based on the schedule Contractor's VIP-verified service-disabled veteran-owned small business/veteran-owned small business (SDVOSB/VOSB) status; and/or their proposed use of VIP-listed SDVOSB/VOSB as subcontractors or teaming partners.

(b) To receive credit under this clause a contractor or subcontractor must be listed, at time of submission of offer/quotes and at time of award, as an eligible SDVOSB/VOSB in the Vendor Information Pages (VIP) database at https://www.vetbiz.va.gov/vip/.

(c) A VIP-listed SDVOSB schedule holder will receive full credit, and a VIP-listed VOSB schedule holder will receive partial credit for the SDVOSB/VOSB status evaluation factor.

(d) Offerors other than SDVOSBs or VOSBs proposing to use VIP-listed SDVOSBs/VOSBs as subcontractors/teaming partners, will receive some consideration under this evaluation factor. To receive consideration, offerors must provide in their proposals:

(1) The name(s) and contact information of the VIP-listed SDVOSB(s)/VOSB(s) with whom they intend to team or subcontract.

(2) A brief description of the proposed team or subcontractor(s) arrangement.

(3) The approximate dollar value of the proposed teaming arrangements or subcontract(s).

(4) Evidence of teaming partner/subcontractor's VIP database registration and verification.

(e) Pursuant to 38 U.S.C. 8127(g), any business concern that is determined by VA to have willfully and intentionally misrepresented a company's SDVOSB/VOSB status is subject to debarment for a period of not less than five years. This includes the debarment of all principals in the business.