Contract Our Veterans Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Senator Sheehy, Tim [R-MT]
Introduced
Summary
Expand federal contracting for veteran-owned small businesses. This bill would create a dedicated procurement track called section 36B to boost veteran-owned participation and set a governmentwide procurement target for their awards.
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- Veteran-owned small businesses: Would become eligible for sole-source contracts above the Simplified Acquisition Threshold and for competitions restricted only to veteran-owned concerns if at least two likely offerors exist. Eligibility would require the firm and its veteran owner to appear in a designated SBA database and be deemed a responsible source at a fair and reasonable price.
- Federal agencies and contracting officers: Would aim to direct not less than 5 percent of the total value of prime contracts and subcontracts each fiscal year to veteran-owned firms. Agencies would also report veteran-owned activity by award type, including sole-source awards and restricted competitions.
- Small Business Administration programs: Would be updated across multiple programs to include section 36B in scorecards, mentor-protege rules, business opportunity staff roles, and subcontracting limits that ensure veteran-owned subcontractors for veteran contracts.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
More federal contracts for veteran businesses
This bill would create a new contracting authority to favor small businesses owned and controlled by veterans. Veteran-owned small businesses and the veteran owner would need to be listed in the database described in section 36(f)(1) to qualify. Contracting officers would be able to award sole-source contracts above the Simplified Acquisition Threshold if the firm is a responsible source, the price stays within the amounts in section 36(c)(2), and the award gives best value. If two or more veteran-owned firms are reasonably expected to bid, competition would be restricted to them when a fair and reasonable award can be made. The bill would set a governmentwide goal of not less than 5 percent of total prime and subcontract award value each fiscal year for veteran-owned firms. SBA programs, scorecards, reporting, and subcontracting rules would be adjusted to track and enforce veteran-owned participation. These changes would take effect upon enactment.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Sheehy, Tim [R-MT]
MT • R
Cosponsors
Sen. Schiff, Adam B. [D-CA]
CA • D
Sponsored 3/3/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov