AGENCY TESTIMONY
Achievements of the DVS-VAB partnership
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This chapter highlights the key achievements resulting from the partnership between the Department of Veterans Services (DVS) and the Veterans Advisory Board (VAB).
- DVS gained enhanced contracting capacity for small dollar discretionary awards up to $20,000, enabling direct support for veteran businesses and community-based programs.
- The VAB will double as a Community Veterans Engagement Board (CVEB) for New York City starting in 2025, strengthening ties with federal programs and increasing transparency.
- Future VAB meetings will be attended by VA leaders and held on VA sites, potentially increasing attendance and improving promotion of meetings.
James Hendon
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The partnership between DVS the Veterans Advisory Board is rooted in a shared mission to enhance the quality of life for New York City's veterans and their families.
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Over the years, this collaboration has yielded tang tangible results, ensuring that the voices of our veteran community are heard and that their needs are addressed through innovative programs and policies.
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To name some of these achievements, one is contracting for the contracting power for small dollar contracts.
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One of the pivotal recommendations from the VAB has been to enhance DVS's contracting capacity, particularly concerning small dollar discretionary awards.
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In February of 2023, DVS was granted the authority to approve discretionary contracts of up to $20,000 for initiatives benefiting veterans.
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This milestone has enabled DVS to support veteran businesses through direct partnerships, facilitate funding for grassroots veteran service organizations that provide essential community based programs, and streamline the procurement process in order to quickly address pressing needs within the veteran community.
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This enhanced contracting power aligns with our objective to foster economic empowerment among veterans.
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It underscores New York City's commitment to its veteran population.
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Aligning the VAB with the New York City Community Veteran Engagement Board with New York City's Community Veterans Engagement Board, the VAB has emphasized the importance of strengthening its ties with federal programs in order to increase transparency and optimize effectiveness.
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In response, DVS facilitated the VAB's introduction to the US Department of Veterans Affairs Community Veterans Engagement Board program.
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In 2025, the VAB will double as a Community Veterans Engagement Board or CVAB for New York City.
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The veterans advisory board doubling as a CVAB means that future VAB meetings will be attended by VA leaders in addition to representatives from the Department of Veterans Services.
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Attendance at VAB meetings will spike relative to prior history because the meetings will be held on VA sites.
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We will have more lead time to promote VAB meetings than ever before.
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This is because working with the VA, the VAB will identify meeting locations well in advance.
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And as we reflect on that progress that's been made, it is clear that the partnership between DVS and the VAB is stronger than ever.
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Moving forward, we remain committed to expanding our contracting authority to maximize support for veteran focused initiatives, strengthening the connection between the VAB and CVAB in order to ensure comprehensive community engagement and service delivery, and continuously evaluating and improving programs to meet the evolving needs of our veteran population.