Bill > S430

This bill, the Veterans Small Business Opportunity and Protection Act of 2013, aims to provide continued support for small businesses owned by veterans' families. Specifically, it allows the surviving spouse of a service-disabled veteran to be treated as that veteran for the purpose of Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) contracting goals and preferences. This treatment lasts for 10 years if the veteran was 100% disabled or died from a service-connected disability, and for 3 years if the veteran was less than 100% disabled and did not die from a service-connected disability. Additionally, if a small business was owned by a service member killed in the line of duty, their surviving spouse or dependent who acquires ownership will also be treated as a service-disabled veteran for VA contracting purposes. This extended treatment continues until the surviving spouse remarries or relinquishes ownership, or until a dependent relinquishes ownership, or for 10 years after the service member's death, whichever comes first. These provisions are intended to ensure that businesses with a strong connection to military service continue to benefit from VA programs designed to support veteran-owned small businesses.