VR&E Self-Employment Services RFI
Updated
Sources Sought from the Department of Veterans Affairs, for work in Washington, District of Columbia. Due Nov 25, 2026, 10:00 AM (UTC-5), 28 days left.
| Title as posted | U006--VR&E Self-Employment Services RFI |
|---|---|
| Solicitation number | 36C10D27Q0008 |
| Agency | Department of Veterans Affairs |
| Office | Veterans Benefits Admin (36C10D) |
| Notice type | Sources Sought |
| Set-aside | None |
| Trade (NAICS) | Vocational Rehabilitation Services (624310) |
| Product or service code | U006 |
| Place of performance | Washington, District of Columbia |
| Posted | Oct 27, 2026 |
| Response deadline | Nov 25, 2026, 10:00 AM (UTC-5) (28 days left) |
| Add the deadline to | Google Calendar · Apple / Outlook (.ics) |
Bid documents (2)
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Federal prevailing wage rates for this place: District of Columbia Davis-Bacon and SCA wage determinations.
Description
REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) SUBJECT Exploring the Feasibility of VA Partnering with Industry to Ready Disabled Veterans for Self-Employment (i.e., entrepreneurship; small business ownership) 1.0 INTRODUCTION The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), is issuing this Request for Information (RFI) for Veteran Readiness & Employment (VR&E) Self-Employment Services.
The information provided in response to this request may be used by VBA in developing its acquisition strategy and refining the Performance Work Statement (PWS). THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION. The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this RFI or otherwise pay for the information requested.
Responses will be treated as information only and not as a proposal. There is no obligation for the Government to acquire any products or services described in this RFI. In accordance with the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) Subpart 15.101(c)(2), responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract.
2.0 BACKGROUND VBA s VR&E Service, pursuant to Title 38 United States Code Chapter 31 (see Section 3100), provides to eligible Veterans with compensable service-connected disabilities all services and assistance necessary to enable them to achieve maximum independence in daily living and, to the maximum extent feasible, to become employable and to obtain and maintain suitable employment.
After achieving the degree of rehabilitation needed to become suitably employed, VR&E is expected to assist Veterans in the pursuit of suitable employment. One such avenue through which VR&E assists is utilizing VR&E s Self-Employment Track, which is intended to assist eligible Veterans in achieving their vocational goals in entrepreneurship and business ownership. Services include the following: Developing and strengthening a business plan Training in small-business operations, marketing, finances, etc. Assessing the feasibility of implementing such a business plan Obtaining (through loans or grants) the resources necessary to implement a business plan and incorporate the business such as securing loans Purchasing of equipment, acquiring initial stocks and supplies, etc. Specialized expertise and/or support to assist Veterans interested in self-employment includes, but is not limited to, knowledge of local/state/federal laws associated with starting a business; market research/analysis both from the perspective of assessing viability of the prospective business in the job market and through the lens of purchasing subject matter expertise and purchasing equipment/supplies; and potential screening or other assessment tools for specialized job markets (i.e. ability to run background checks and/or credit checks to assess criminal history, driving records, substance use/abuse, financial/credit/tax history, education, etc.).
Further, VA recognizes that achieving successful self-employment outcomes often requires specialized expertise beyond traditional vocational rehabilitation services. Veterans pursuing entrepreneurship may need support with business planning, feasibility analysis, market research, financial literacy, regulatory compliance, business startup requirements, mentorship, and access to entrepreneurial networks and resources.
Self-employment cases frequently involve complex business considerations that require specialized knowledge, individualized assessments, and coordination with public and private sector resources. Veterans may require assistance evaluating business viability, developing comprehensive business plans, understanding applicable licensing and regulatory requirements, conducting market and financial analyses, identifying startup resource needs, and building the skills necessary to successfully operate a small business.
These needs often require tailored, ongoing guidance throughout the planning and launch process. VA is seeking information on how experienced industry partners can supplement existing VR&E services by providing subject matter expertise, structured entrepreneurial training, business feasibility assessments, market research capabilities, business financial planning and analysis (i.e., financial projections, startup cost estimates, cash flow planning, and capital requirements), and access to established business support networks.
Such services may help Veterans make informed business decisions, evaluate and strengthen the viability of proposed business ventures, develop stronger business plans, and access the expertise and resources needed to successfully launch and sustain a small business. Accordingly, VA requests information from organizations with demonstrated experience providing entrepreneur and small business support services, including business advisory services, training, business feasibility and market assessments, entrepreneurial training, startup incubation, financial planning, and other related support services.
The goal is to identify potential partnership approaches that can enhance VA's ability to assist Veterans with service-connected disabilities in evaluating business concepts, developing viable business plans, preparing for business ownership, and successfully launching and sustaining small businesses 3.0 INFORMATION SOUGHT The Government is seeking the following information from vendors responding to this RFI: Organization and Contact Information, specifically: Name of Organization Addresses for Primary Locations of Operation Points of Contact (available for follow-up discussions) Phone Numbers and Email Addresses for Points of Contact Business Size and Socioeconomic Status Answers to List of Questions (See Section 5.0 of this RFI) Past Performance (if applicable) describing how your organization: has supported entrepreneurs in exploring, planning, and starting small business enterprises prepared entrepreneurs for operating small business enterprises with training, apprenticeships, mentorsh
The description continues in the official notice.
Contracting contact
- Edward Bradford · Contracting Officer · [email protected] · 254-299-9807
As published on the official notice. Ask questions in writing and before any questions deadline the notice sets.
Is your business small enough?
For NAICS 624310, a business counts as small if it has no more than $15.0 million in average annual receipts (SBA size standard). This notice is not set aside, but the size decides your small business status on it. SBA table, current as of Oct 15, 2026.
About the buyer
The Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $84.6 billion in contracts in the last 12 months; its biggest suppliers were Optum Public Sector Solutions, Inc., Mckesson Corporation and Triwest Healthcare Alliance Corp. See what VA is buying now.