Chapter 7 - Promoting the Commonwealth's Socio-Economic Initiatives

7.1.5 Set-asides for small businesses

The goal of the Commonwealth is that 42 percent or more of its discretionary spend be made from small businesses. Small businesses include, but are not limited to, DSBSD- certified micro-businesses, and women-minority- and service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses.

• IT solicitations from $0 to $10,000 are set aside for micro-businesses: All solicitations up to $10,000 shall be set aside for DSBSD certified micro-businesses when the price quoted is fair and reasonable and does not exceed five percent (5%) of the lowest responsive and responsible noncertified bidder. These set asides would require soliciting a minimum of one (1) DSBSD-certified micro-business, if available for all procurements up to $10,000. 
• IT solicitations between $10,000 and $100,000 are set aside for small businesses: If available, four (4) qualified DSBSD-certified small business sources should be solicited for all IT procurements between $10,000 and $100,000. If two or more DSBSD-certified small businesses cannot be identified as qualified to set aside the procurement under $100,000, the procurement file shall be documented with VITA’s efforts through eVA to obtain the number of required sources. An award may then be made to a qualified, reasonably ranked small, minority or women- owned offeror, if available, that is other than the highest-ranking offeror if the price submitted is fair and reasonable and does not exceed five percent (5%) of the lowest responsive and responsible noncertified bidder. If an informal RFP is utilized in lieu of Quick Quote the award shall be made to the highest ranking and qualified small, woman-or minority- owned offeror. If the procurement is set aside and the agency or institution receives no acceptable bids or offers, the set aside may be withdrawn, and the procurement resolicited utilizing non- set-aside procedures. 
• IT solicitations over $100,000: VITA delegates all IT procurements between $100,000 and $250,000 back to agencies except for Cloud Services. 

Agencies that are not in scope to VITA services have $250,000 delegated authority for IT. All IT procurements between $200,000 (VITA’s small purchase limit) and $250,000 (VITA’s delegated procurement amount) must be procured competitively utilizing competitive sealed bidding or competitive negotiation.