Press Release: Wisconsin Supplier Diversity Program Celebrates Veterans Small Business Week

STATE OF WISCONSIN

DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION

Tony Evers, Governor

Joel Brennan, Secretary

Wisconsin Supplier Diversity Program Celebrates Veterans Small Business Week

DOA Highlights Certification and State Contracting Opportunities for Small Businesses

Madison, Wis. – In honor of National Veterans Small Business Week, the Wisconsin Department of Administration (DOA) is reminding veteran-owned small businesses to participate in the Wisconsin Supplier Diversity Program.

The Wisconsin Supplier Diversity Program certifies minority-owned (MBE), service-disabled veteran-owned (DVB) and woman-owned (WBE) businesses to provide enhanced supports and opportunities for them to do business with the State of Wisconsin.​ Certified service-disabled veteran-owned businesses may receive a permissive ​5 percent bid preference when they bid on Wisconsin state contracts.​

“We’re always ready to support our veterans in Wisconsin,” said DOA Secretary Joel Brennan.  “The Wisconsin Supplier Diversity Program is one way we’re able to honor their service and support veteran-owned businesses in a tangible way.”

“While we always look forward to honoring those who have served our country on Veterans Day, the Wisconsin Supplier Diversity Program is here to support veteran business owners all year long,” said Tondra Davis, Wisconsin Supplier Diversity Program Director, “This is a great opportunity to find out how this program can help service-disabled veteran business owners and their communities.”     

In order to be certified as a service-disabled veteran business, the business owner must have a certificate of release or discharge from active duty, be a resident of Wisconsin, and have disability rating within the Department of Veteran’s Affairs or an Armed Services Branch, as well as having an established business older than one year. Eligible businesses must have at least 51 percent ownership by a service-disabled veteran.

The National Veterans Small Business Week is an annual observance led by the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Learn more about the Wisconsin Supplier Diversity Program and apply to be certified at supplierdiversity.wi.gov.