TJFACT an SBA 8(a) graduate. We are proud that TJFACT’s former VP of Programs, Ms. Crystal Fleming, started her company Living Invigorating Valuable Experiences, LLC (LIVE) in 2017. Effective August 20, 2021, LIVE became a SBA-certified 8(a) company in addition to being a WOSB and SBA-certified HUBZone. Ms. Fleming was the backbone of executing program oversight of over 50 contracts awarded to TJFACT during her tenure, including numerous 8(a) set-asides and/or direct awards. Her organization brings the same commitment to achieving customer satisfaction as TJFACT, and she stands ready to support us and our customer needs.

Please visit her website for more information: www.invigorateliving.com.

The Historically Underutilized Business Zones (HUBZone) program helps small businesses in urban and rural communities gain preferential access to federal procurement opportunities. The program falls under the auspices of the U.S. Small Business Administration. The program encourages economic development in historically underutilized business zones “HUBZones” – through the establishment of preferences.

SBA’s HUBZone program is in line with the efforts of both the Administration and Congress to promote economic development and employment growth in distressed areas by providing access to more federal contracting opportunities.

How the HUBZone Program Works

The SBA regulates and implements the HUBZone program. SBA does the following:

• Determines which businesses are eligible to receive HUBZone contracts
• Maintains a listing of qualified HUBZone small businesses that federal agencies can use to locate vendors
• Adjudicates protests of eligibility to receive HUBZone contracts
• Reports to the Congress on the program’s impact on employment and investment in HUBZone areas.

Benefits of the HUBZone Program

The program’s benefits for HUBZone-certified companies include:

• Competitive and sole source contracting
• 10% price evaluation preference in full and open contract competitions, as well as subcontracting opportunities.

Eligibility for HUBZone

TJFACT is a small business by SBA standards

• We are at least 51% owned and controlled by a U.S. citizen, or a Community Development Corporation, an agricultural cooperative, or an Indian tribe
• Our principal office is located within a “Historically Underutilized Business Zone,” which includes lands considered “Indian Country” and military facilities closed by the Base Realignment and Closure Act
• At least 35% of TJFACT’s employees reside in a HUBZone.

The Small Business Administration has issued an interim final rule, establishing a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Concern Program. Consistent with Public Law 109-461, awarding contracts to Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) firms is the highest priority within the Small Business programs for VA.  Consistent with the mandate and the mission of VA, participation of SDVOSBs in VA Acquisition programs is strongly encouraged.  OSDBU is the advocate that monitors the Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB) Program, with a special emphasis on SDVOSBs.  Under the authority granted in Public Law 109-461, VA is authorized to set aside contracts and/or award sole source contracts, to SDVOSB and VOSB firms.

Purpose of the SDVOSBC Program

The purpose of the Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Concern Procurement Program is to provide procuring agencies with the authority to set acquisitions aside for exclusive competition among service-disabled veteran-owned small business concerns, as well as the authority to make sole source awards to service-disabled veteran-owned small business concerns if certain conditions are met. (See Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 13 C.F.R. § 125.8-125.10).

Eligibility

In order to be eligible for the SDVOSB distinction, TJFACT meets the following criteria:

• Our owner is a Service Disabled Veteran (SDV), having a service-connected disability that has been determined by the Department of Veterans Affairs or Department of Defense
• TJFACT is small under the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code assigned to the procurement
• Our SDV owner (SDVO) unconditionally owns 51% of TJFACT as a SDVOSB
• Our SDVO controls the management and daily operations of TJFACT as a SDVOSB
• Our SDVO holds the highest officer position within TJFACT as a SDVOSB

The other eligibility requirements that TJFACT meets are:

• The management and daily business operations of the company are controlled by one or more SDVs.
  • Control by one or more SDVs means that both the long-term decision making and the day-to-day management and administration of the business operations must be conducted by one or more SDVs
  • The management and daily business operations of which are controlled by one or more SDV or, in the case of a SDV or, in the case of a SDV with permanent and severe disability, the spouse of permanent caregiver of such veteran
• Our SDVO is a veteran with a disability that is service-connected.
• Ownership by TJFACT’s SDVO is direct
  • A concern owned principally by another business entity that is in turn owned and controlled by one or more service-disabled veterans does not meet this requirement.

Sole Source Contracts

A CO may award a sole source contract if:

1. If the requirement is not exempted from SDVOSB contracting and cannot be set-aside.
2. The CO does not have a reasonable expectation that at least two responsible SDVO SBCs will submit offers.
3. The anticipated award price of the contract, including options, will not exceed:
   • $5.0M for manufacturing requirements
   • $3.0M for all other requirements
4. Award can be made at a fair market price.

TJFACT is a subcontractor to HRS Consulting, Inc. (HRS)—one of six Primes on the IHT vehicle—to provide best value healthcare and professional consulting services to the VHA. Through the IHT vehicle, TJFACT will assist with the completion of an organizational change that enhances VHA’s capabilities to provide seamless, high quality, integrated, and coordinated healthcare. The VHA will release task orders addressing the changing needs of the Veteran population and the healthcare industry, which will require diverse healthcare operations knowledge and experience.

This link below will take you away from the TJFACT website to the PMG Learning Solutions Team HRS VIT video.