Expanding VOSB Opportunities & Navigating the SBA Certification Minefield - Govology
from WA Apex Accelerator
About this event
In Episode 10 of GovCon Roundup Live, Carroll Bernard and Steven Koprince will cover several important developments affecting veteran-owned small businesses in federal contracting.
They’ll begin with a major legislative update: the bipartisan Contract Our Veterans Act of 2026. This proposed bill would establish a government-wide 5% contracting goal for Veteran-Owned Small Businesses and give federal Contracting Officers authority to set aside competitions and make sole-source awards for VOSBs outside the VA.
Carroll and Steven will also discuss a critical compliance issue for veteran-owned businesses pursuing VA set-asides: the frequently overlooked limitations on subcontracting certification requirement under VAAR 852.219-75.
The episode will also cover common SBA certification problems that continue to create trouble for contractors, including:
- Why SBA’s strict “unconditional control” rules make certification extremely difficult for franchises
- Why a veteran must be listed as the company’s highest officer, such as CEO, in the governing documents
- What “fatal flaws” can undermine an appeal after a certification denial
Finally, they’ll explore how veterans can use the 8(a) Program strategically as part of a broader government contracting growth plan.
This episode is designed for veteran entrepreneurs, VOSBs, SDVOSBs, and GovCon professionals who want to stay current, avoid costly certification and compliance mistakes, and better position themselves for success in a changing federal contracting environment.
Speakers CARROLL BERNARD, Co-Founder & Managing Member, Waypoint America LLC dba Govology Steven KoprinceFaculty Instructor and Legal Analyst, Govology Shane McCallEquity partner, Koprince McCall Pottroff LLC
