MS HB1130

Department of Finance and Administration, in consultation with State Veterans Affairs Board and Mississippi Development Authority, may set annual goals for service-connected disabled veteran-owned small business participation in state contracts and procurements.

Public contracting agencies must give preference to certified service-connected disabled veteran-owned small businesses when bids are substantially equal in quality and service but differ only in price, if the veteran-owned bid is not more than 10% higher than competing bids.

Service-connected disabled veteran means a veteran with at least 30% service-connected disability rating from federal veterans affairs; qualifying small business must be at least 51% owned by such veteran(s) and meet Mississippi residency and size requirements (fewer than 50 employees and annual gross receipts not exceeding $10 million for construction or $5 million for non-construction operations).

Entities seeking certification must submit appropriate federal documentation with each bid and quotation; Department of Finance and Administration reviews applications and Mississippi Development Authority maintains and publishes a list of certified businesses.

Effective July 1, 2017.