Success Story: VETCOM Logistics
Company description: VETCOM Logistics, located in Lewisburg, is a leading logistics company focused on contracts supporting the federal government. They have the expertise and partnerships to store, ship, and distribute cargo anywhere in the world for the U.S. Department of Defense.
They partner with companies globally to identify strategic opportunities addressing critical government and contractor challenges, thereby sustaining and contributing to the government’s transportation and service enterprise in addition to other critical supply chain applications.
VETCOM partners with major subcontract partners that have tremendous experience servicing critical supply chains both domestically and internationally. Their core services run the gamut of supply chain logistics, information technology call center, and e-fulfillment solutions. VETCOM is a Certified HUBZone Small Business and VA Certified Small Business.
Problem/issue that required assistance: VETCOM Logistics wanted to expand its business opportunities with the government.
Solution/outcome & future potential: VETCOM Logistics has been a client of SEDA-COG’s Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) since 2008. The SEDA-COG PTAC has assisted VETCOM with updating its capabilities statement, understanding how to renew federal vendor registration, how to complete the VA Vetbiz verification process, and how to complete the Commonwealth of PA Small Diverse certification process. In addition, the SEDA COG PTAC has provided the company with information on how to respond a Request for Proposal. The Hubzone certification and the Vetbiz verification positions the company to be considered for federal government prime and subcontracting opportunities. The Vetbiz verification can also be used to obtain Small Diverse Business status with the state, which can also position the company for prime and subcontracting opportunities with the state.
The Bucknell Small Business Development Center (SBDC) advised VETCOM Logistics President and retired U.S. Marine Corporal Richard Owen on business planning to pursue strategic expansion opportunities, and aided in the process to attain HUBZone Small Business Certification, which will provide them preferences in contract bids and incentives in federal prime contracts. VETCOM Logistics was recognized during National Veterans Small Business Week 2017 with a ribbon cutting ceremony marking the attainment of HUBZone designation for their logistics consulting firm. VETCOM Logistics is a member of Startup Lewisburg, Bucknell’s incubator and home for innovators in downtown Lewisburg. VETCOM is one of 93 businesses in Pennsylvania with the HUBZone designation.
Because of these certifications and SEDA-COG’s and the SBDC’s assistance, VETCOM was awarded a subcontracting bid for several transportation lanes as a backup vendor by Crowley Logistics. At $2.3 billion, Crowley’s contract is the largest freight contract ever issued by the government to a vendor. By law, Crowley must provide maximum practicable opportunity for small businesses to compete. VETCOM is currently waiting for wide truckload bids as part of this contract.
