Opportunity Information: Apply for VFPETP 2017 01

The Veteran Federal Procurement Entrepreneurship Training Program (VFPETP) is a Small Business Administration (SBA) discretionary funding opportunity designed to strengthen veterans ability to compete for and win federal contracting work. The program focuses specifically on procurement entrepreneurship, meaning it is aimed at teaching participants how to navigate government acquisition systems, pursue contracting opportunities, and build the management practices needed to operate successfully in the federal marketplace. A central priority is reaching both veterans and service-disabled veterans who want to pursue government contracting as a growth path for their businesses or as a launch point for a new venture.

This opportunity was released by the SBA as a cooperative agreement, which typically means the agency expects to have substantial involvement in shaping or overseeing how the funded program is carried out. Instead of simply funding a project at arms length, a cooperative agreement often involves collaboration with the awardee on planning, implementation details, performance expectations, and reporting. The funding activity category is listed under Business and Commerce, reflecting that the purpose is economic and entrepreneurial development rather than research or direct social services. The program is associated with CFDA number 59.044.

The funded work is centered on delivering procurement training and management support services. Key deliverables include curriculum development, meaning the recipient is expected to design or refine course materials that teach government contracting knowledge in a structured way. In addition to classroom style instruction, the program emphasizes post-training support through graduate mentoring and counseling, suggesting an expectation that participants receive guidance after completing the formal training to help them apply what they learned, troubleshoot real procurement challenges, and stay on track as they pursue contracts.

Operational and logistical responsibilities are also part of the scope. The awardee must handle logistical preparation for the course, including participant registration processes and coordination tasks required to run the training smoothly. The opportunity also explicitly calls for marketing and promotion of the VFPETP to attract qualified candidates, with outreach targeted to veterans and service-disabled veteran individuals who are interested in federal contracting opportunities. In practice, that can involve building referral pipelines, advertising through veteran networks, coordinating with partner organizations, and maintaining a clear application or enrollment pathway so that interested candidates can register and participate.

The award structure indicates a single expected award, with an anticipated award ceiling of $500,000. That combination, one award at a relatively high ceiling, implies the SBA intended to select one organization or lead entity to operate the program rather than distributing smaller grants to multiple providers. Eligible applicants are described broadly as "Others," with additional eligibility details referenced in the full announcement; this usually signals that eligibility may extend beyond standard categories and could include certain nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, or other entities capable of delivering the required training and support services, subject to the specific criteria in the complete solicitation.

Administratively, the opportunity is identified by Funding Opportunity Number VFPETP 2017 01, was created on May 4, 2017, and had an original closing date of June 8, 2017 at 11:59 pm. Overall, the grant is structured to fund a comprehensive, end-to-end training and support program: recruit the right veteran audiences, deliver a targeted procurement curriculum, provide mentoring that continues beyond the classroom, and manage the logistics needed to run the program effectively, all with the goal of improving veteran success in the federal contracting marketplace.

  • The Small Business Administration in the business and commerce sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Veteran Federal Procurement Entrepreneurship Training Program (VFPETP)" and is now available to receive applicants.
  • Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 59.044.
  • This funding opportunity was created on May 04, 2017.
  • Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 08, 2017 The closing date is 6/8/2017 1159pm. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
  • Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $500,000.00 in funding.
  • The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
  • Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
Apply for VFPETP 2017 01

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Veteran Federal Procurement Entrepreneurship Training Program (VFPETP) FAQs

What is the VFPETP grant opportunity?

The Veteran Federal Procurement Entrepreneurship Training Program (VFPETP) is a Small Business Administration (SBA) discretionary funding opportunity intended to strengthen veterans' ability to compete for and win federal contracting work. It supports the delivery of procurement-focused entrepreneurship training and related management support services.

What is the main purpose of VFPETP?

The purpose is to help veterans and service-disabled veterans learn how to navigate the federal acquisition environment, identify and pursue contracting opportunities, and build the management practices needed to operate successfully in the federal marketplace.

Who is the program intended to reach?

A central priority is reaching veterans and service-disabled veterans who want to pursue government contracting either to grow an existing business or to use contracting as a launch point for a new venture.

Is this funding a grant or a cooperative agreement?

This opportunity was released as a cooperative agreement. This typically means the SBA expects substantial involvement in how the funded program is planned, implemented, overseen, and reported, rather than simply providing funds at arm's length.

What does "cooperative agreement" imply for the awardee?

Based on the description provided, it implies collaboration with SBA on elements such as planning, implementation details, performance expectations, and reporting during the period of performance.

What is the funding activity category for this opportunity?

The funding activity category is Business and Commerce, reflecting that the program is aimed at economic and entrepreneurial development.

What CFDA number is associated with VFPETP?

The program is associated with CFDA number 59.044.

What types of activities are expected to be funded?

The funded work centers on delivering procurement training and management support services, including curriculum development, instruction, post-training mentoring/counseling, and the operational tasks required to run the program.

Is curriculum development part of the required work?

Yes. Key deliverables include curriculum development, meaning the recipient is expected to design or refine course materials that teach government contracting knowledge in a structured way.

Does the program include support after the training ends?

Yes. The opportunity emphasizes post-training support through graduate mentoring and counseling, indicating an expectation that participants will receive ongoing guidance after completing formal training.

What is meant by "graduate mentoring and counseling" in this program?

It refers to post-training guidance intended to help participants apply what they learned, troubleshoot real procurement challenges, and stay on track while pursuing federal contracting opportunities.

What operational or logistical responsibilities are included?

The awardee is expected to handle logistical preparation for the course, including participant registration processes and coordination tasks needed to run the training smoothly.

Is marketing and promotion required under this opportunity?

Yes. The opportunity explicitly calls for marketing and promotion of the VFPETP to attract qualified candidates, with outreach targeted to veterans and service-disabled veteran individuals interested in federal contracting.

What outreach methods are suggested for recruiting participants?

The description notes that outreach can involve building referral pipelines, advertising through veteran networks, coordinating with partner organizations, and maintaining a clear application or enrollment pathway.

How many awards does SBA expect to make?

The award structure indicates a single expected award, suggesting SBA intended to select one organization or lead entity to operate the program.

What is the anticipated award ceiling?

The anticipated award ceiling is $500,000.

What does a single expected award at a $500,000 ceiling suggest about program design?

It suggests the SBA intended a comprehensive, end-to-end program operated by one selected entity, rather than distributing smaller awards to multiple providers.

Who is eligible to apply for this opportunity?

Eligible applicants are described broadly as "Others," with additional eligibility details referenced in the full announcement. This usually signals eligibility may extend beyond standard categories and could include certain nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, or other entities capable of delivering the required training and support services, subject to the specific criteria in the complete solicitation.

Where are the detailed eligibility requirements defined?

The description indicates that additional eligibility details are referenced in the full announcement (the complete solicitation).

What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this solicitation?

The Funding Opportunity Number is VFPETP 2017 01.

When was this opportunity created?

The opportunity was created on May 4, 2017.

What was the original closing date and time?

The original closing date was June 8, 2017 at 11:59 pm.

What is the overall scope of the funded program?

The scope is to run a comprehensive program that recruits appropriate veteran audiences, delivers a targeted procurement curriculum, provides mentoring beyond the classroom, and manages the logistics required to operate the training effectively, all with the goal of improving veteran success in the federal contracting marketplace.

Is the program focused on research or on business development?

Based on the listed activity category (Business and Commerce) and the described deliverables, the program is focused on business and entrepreneurial development related to federal contracting rather than research or direct social services.

What is meant by "procurement entrepreneurship" in this opportunity?

It refers to training participants to pursue government contracting opportunities by learning how to navigate government acquisition systems and build the operational and management practices needed to succeed in the federal marketplace.

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