The State of Ohio's Veteran-Friendly Business Enterprise (VBE) Procurement program provides preference or bonus points to certified companies that compete to contract with the state to supply the goods or services it needs, including eligible construction services.

Certified Business Owners:
See Something, Say Something

We have created a hotline to receive allegations of possible fraud or abuse in the Minority Business Enterprise (MBE); Encouraging Diversity, Growth, and Equity (EDGE); Women-owned Business Enterprise (WBE); or Veteran-friendly Business Enterprise (VBE) programs. Tips about alleged violations may be reported to the toll-free hotline by calling 1-888-623-8477 (MBE-TIPS). Allegations may be reported between 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday by state employees, contractors, or the general public. Callers have the option to remain anonymous. Businesses that violate certification laws or rules risk decertification and the loss of business opportunities. Click here for frequently asked questions about the hotline.

VBE Eligibility

• At least ten percent of its employees are veterans or on active service;
• At least fifty-one percent of the applicant business is owned by veterans or persons on active service;
• If the applicant business is a corporation fifty-one percent of which is not owned by veterans or persons on active service, at least fifty-one percent of the board of directors are veterans or persons on active service; or
• The business is certified by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs as a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business or a Veteran-Owned Small Business and the owner(s) of the business meets the definition of veteran as defined in Rule 123:5-1-01(II) of the Ohio Administrative Code.

Steps for VBE Certification

• United States Department of Defense form 214 (DD-214);
• United States Department of Defense form 215 (DD-215);
• United States Uniformed identification card (DD Form 2);
• United States Department of Veterans Affairs identification card;
• United States Department of Defense military identification;
• Ohio driver's license with armed forces logo;
• National Guard Bureau Form 22 (NGB-22); or
• Any other official documentation verifying status.

Steps to Certification

1. Complete the application.
2. Submit supporting documentation as required to das-eod.vbe@das.ohio.gov.

Benefits of VBE Certification

• prices on bids submitted by veteran-friendly businesses to exceed those prices on bids submitted by businesses not certified as veteran-friendly by up to five percent and still be eligible for winning the award; and
• scores on proposals submitted by veteran-friendly businesses to be up to five percent lower than the proposal scores submitted by businesses not certified as veteran-friendly and still be eligible for winning the award.

Statutory and Regulatory Authority