M E M O R A N D U M

TO:                       Members of the Assembly Military and Veterans Affairs Committee

FROM:                Hilary Chebra, Manager, Government Affairs, CCSNJ

RE:                        A-506 (Benson) 

         A-870 (Tucker/Gove/Benson) 

         A-4211/S-2249 (Benson/Reynolds-Jackson/Singleton/Oroho) 

The Chamber of Commerce Southern New Jersey (CCSNJ) would like to voice our support for the following bills being considered:

• A-506 (Benson) - Establishes a price preference program on State contracts for service-disabled veteran-owned businesses.
• A-870 (Tucker/Gove/Benson) - Establishes a price preference program on State contracts for businesses owned by women veterans or women in military service.
• A-4211/S-2249 (Benson/Reynolds-Jackson/Singleton/Oroho) - Revises the number of qualified disabled veterans' businesses required to designate set-aside contract from three to two.

The CCSNJ supports A-506 (Benson) because it will make it easier for service-disabled veteran-owned businesses to obtain competitive state contracts. Currently, certain purchases or contracts are publicly advertised and competitively bid on by businesses, then awarded to the lowest bidder. This bill would establish a price preference of up to 10 percent of the amount of the contract to a qualified disabled veterans’ business, increasing the likelihood of securing state business.

Additionally, A-870 (Tucker/Gove/Benson) would establish a similar price preference program as the above-mentioned bill for businesses owned by women veterans or women in military service. Women-owned business often struggle to compete for state contracts, and that problem is exacerbated for women who have served and/or continue to serve in the military. Creating a price preference program will help to increase the amount of state contracts secured by women veterans or women in military service.

Finally, A-4211/S-2249 (Benson/Reynolds-Jackson/Singleton/Oroho) would revise the number of qualified disabled veterans businesses required to set aside a contract under the “Set-Aside Act for Disabled Veterans’ Businesses” from three businesses to two businesses. Due to the low number of registered disabled veterans’ businesses in this State, it is often difficult for there to be three qualified bidders in any specific transaction. This bill will bring New Jersey in line with neighboring states, as well as the federal government use a “rule of two” when designating set-aside contracts for disabled veterans’ businesses.

Ensuring our veteran-owned businesses have the tools to be successful in their pursuit of state contracts is just one way New Jersey can give back to our veterans, as well as active servicemen and women businessowners. Thank you for allowing the CCSNJ to express our strong support for this bill package.