U.S. Small Business Administration: Veterans Business Outreach Center Program

The Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC) Program supports quality training and counseling to veteran small business owners and entrepreneurs. Organizations may apply for an Initial Phase VBOC Award of financial assistance to fund implementation of a Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC) in the geographic coverage areas defined in Appendix A of the solicitation. Applicants are limited to the defined coverage areas and can apply for all, or part, of a defined coverage area. The New Mexico coverage area is grouped with Colorado and is detailed below:

• New Mexico and Colorado: Coverage will include New Mexico and Colorado. The VBOC will be required to participate in Boots to Business Training at Cannon AFB, Holloman AFB, Kirtland AFB, Buckley AFB, Schriever AFB, Peterson AFB, Fort Carson and the Air Force Service Academy. In 2016, 26 Boots to Business classes were held at these installations.

As a major component of the VBOC program, applicants are expected to provide entrepreneurship training through the Boots to Business (B2B) and Reboot Training programs to transitioning military personnel and veteran small business owners and entrepreneurs. VBOCs will be expected to cover 100% of the Boots to Business classes within their coverage area. Additionally, funds will be used to offer traditional business counseling and technical assistance to veterans, service-members, military spouses, and others interested in starting or growing a small business. Services include providing counseling; training; technical and financial skill development; comprehensive business assessments; and mentoring services to veteran, active duty, Reserve, National Guard, military spouse/survivor entrepreneurs, and small business owners interested in starting a new, or expanding and diversifying an established small business.

Amount: A total of $6,000,000 is available to award up to 23 cooperative agreements that range from $225,000-$375,000. Awards will be made for a five year period of performance.

Eligibility: Nonprofit organizations; local or state agencies, private sector firms; or institutes of higher learning. Applicants must demonstrate a history of providing quality entrepreneurship and/or business management training to aspiring entrepreneurs or existing small business owners that are members of the following populations: veterans, service-disabled veterans, Reserve Component members or National Guard, transitioning service members, spouses of service members or veterans, and other beneficiaries interested in starting or growing a small enterprise. The quality of a program can be demonstrated by new business starts, business expansions, or diversifications, number of contracts awarded and loans approved, as well as jobs created and/or retained, and connection to other programs.

Link: https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=298820

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