Opportunity Information: Apply for VBOC 2016 02
Apply for VBOC 2016 02
- The SBA in the business and commerce sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Veterans Business Outreach Center Program (VBOC)" 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 Feb 23, 2016 and posted on Feb 23, 2016.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Mar 29, 2016. (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 $250,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 8 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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Opportunity Summary:
The Veterans Business Outreach Center Program (VBOC) grant opportunity is a U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) discretionary funding announcement designed to support organizations that help military-connected entrepreneurs start and grow small businesses. The SBA planned to make awards to a limited number of organizations, with no fewer than five and no more than eight recipients, to deliver VBOC services in specific geographic regions: Georgia, North and Central Texas, Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Southern California, Hawaii, and New England. The intent is to ensure that veteran and military spouse entrepreneurship support is available in these locations through dedicated service providers operating under SBA oversight.
Funding is provided through a cooperative agreement, meaning the awardee is expected to work closely with the SBA in carrying out program activities, rather than operating with minimal federal involvement as in a typical grant. The opportunity falls under the Business and Commerce activity category (CFDA 59.044), with an anticipated award ceiling of $250,000 per award. The announcement indicates up to eight total awards were expected. As with many federal opportunities, the announcement notes that awards are subject to the availability of funds, so final selections and funding amounts could depend on appropriations and SBA budget decisions.
At the center of the program is outreach and education on small business ownership for transitioning service members and military spouses. In accordance with Public Law 110-186, selected organizations are expected to facilitate and instruct the SBA "Introduction to Entrepreneurship" curriculum known as Boots to Business. Boots to Business is delivered within the Department of Defense Transition Assistance Program (TAP), so the funded organizations must be capable of coordinating with military installations and TAP partners to provide entrepreneurship instruction as part of the transition process for service members leaving active duty. This component emphasizes early exposure to entrepreneurship concepts, helping participants understand what business ownership entails before they commit time and resources to launching a company.
Beyond classroom-style instruction, the VBOC service model also includes more individualized and hands-on business support. Awardees are expected to provide counseling, training, and technical assistance, along with financial skill development that can cover practical topics such as cash flow, budgeting, credit readiness, funding options, and financial management basics. The announcement also highlights comprehensive business assessments, which typically involve evaluating a client's business idea or existing operation to identify strengths, gaps, risks, and next steps. Mentoring is another key expectation, supporting entrepreneurs through planning, launch, and expansion decisions, and helping them navigate common barriers such as market validation, operations setup, and access to capital.
The target population is broad within the military-connected community. Services are intended for veterans, service-disabled veterans, active-duty members, Reserve and Guard members, and military spouse or survivor entrepreneurs and small business owners. The program is not limited to brand-new startups; it also supports existing small businesses that are looking to expand or diversify operations. In practice, that means VBOC-funded organizations are expected to handle a range of client needs, from early-stage concept development and business plan preparation to growth strategy, operational improvements, and readiness for financing or contracting opportunities.
Key administrative details in the source information include the funding opportunity title and number (Veterans Business Outreach Center Program (VBOC), VBOC 2016 02), the issuing agency (SBA), and the original and current closing date (March 29, 2016). Eligibility is listed as "Others" with additional clarification referenced in the full announcement text, which usually indicates that applicants must meet specific organizational qualifications or demonstrate the capacity to deliver region-wide services, partnerships, and program reporting requirements. The notice was posted February 23, 2016, reflecting a relatively short application window typical of some federal assistance competitions.
Overall, this opportunity is structured to strengthen the national network of VBOC providers by funding a small set of qualified organizations to deliver standardized entrepreneurship education through Boots to Business and to provide deeper, ongoing advising and training support for military-connected entrepreneurs. The emphasis is on practical, outcomes-oriented assistance that helps participants make informed decisions about business ownership and improves their chances of starting, sustaining, or scaling a successful small business.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - Veterans Business Outreach Center Program (VBOC) Grant (VBOC 2016 02)
What is the Veterans Business Outreach Center Program (VBOC) grant opportunity?
The Veterans Business Outreach Center Program (VBOC) grant opportunity is a U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) discretionary funding announcement that supports organizations providing entrepreneurship training, counseling, and technical assistance to military-connected entrepreneurs. The goal is to help veterans, service members, and military families start, grow, and strengthen small businesses through dedicated regional service providers operating under SBA oversight.
Who is the issuing agency for this opportunity?
The issuing agency is the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).
What is the funding opportunity title and number?
The funding opportunity title is Veterans Business Outreach Center Program (VBOC), and the opportunity number is VBOC 2016 02.
What type of federal funding instrument is used (grant vs. cooperative agreement)?
Funding is provided through a cooperative agreement. This means awardees are expected to work closely with the SBA in carrying out program activities, rather than operating with minimal federal involvement as is typical with many grants.
What is the CFDA number and program category for this opportunity?
The opportunity is in the Business and Commerce activity category and is identified as CFDA 59.044.
How many awards did SBA plan to make?
SBA planned to make awards to a limited number of organizations, with no fewer than five and no more than eight recipients. The announcement also indicates up to eight total awards were expected.
What is the maximum funding amount per award?
The anticipated award ceiling is $250,000 per award.
Is funding guaranteed once selected?
No. The announcement states that awards are subject to the availability of funds, meaning final selections and funding amounts may depend on appropriations and SBA budget decisions.
Which geographic regions were included for service delivery under this opportunity?
The opportunity targeted delivery of VBOC services in specific geographic regions: Georgia; North and Central Texas; Alaska; Arizona; Colorado; Southern California; Hawaii; and New England.
What is the main purpose of the VBOC program services funded by this opportunity?
The program focuses on outreach and education on small business ownership for transitioning service members and military spouses, along with ongoing, practical business assistance to help military-connected entrepreneurs make informed decisions and improve their likelihood of starting, sustaining, or scaling a small business.
What is Boots to Business, and is it part of the required services?
Boots to Business is the SBA "Introduction to Entrepreneurship" curriculum. Under Public Law 110-186, selected organizations are expected to facilitate and instruct this curriculum as part of the VBOC service model.
Where is Boots to Business delivered?
Boots to Business is delivered within the Department of Defense Transition Assistance Program (TAP).
What coordination is expected to deliver Boots to Business?
Funded organizations must be capable of coordinating with military installations and TAP partners to provide entrepreneurship instruction as part of the transition process for service members leaving active duty.
Besides Boots to Business instruction, what other services are expected from awardees?
The VBOC service model described in the announcement includes counseling, training, and technical assistance; financial skill development; comprehensive business assessments; and mentoring to support planning, launch, and expansion decisions.
What kinds of financial skill development topics are mentioned?
The announcement notes financial skill development that can include practical topics such as cash flow, budgeting, credit readiness, funding options, and financial management basics.
What are "comprehensive business assessments" in this context?
Comprehensive business assessments generally involve evaluating a client's business idea or existing operation to identify strengths, gaps, risks, and recommended next steps.
Who is the target population for services supported by this opportunity?
Services are intended for military-connected entrepreneurs and small business owners, including veterans, service-disabled veterans, active-duty members, Reserve and Guard members, and military spouse or survivor entrepreneurs.
Does the program only support new startups?
No. The program also supports existing small businesses that are looking to expand or diversify operations, in addition to helping early-stage entrepreneurs with concept development and business planning.
What kinds of business needs are VBOC-funded organizations expected to address?
Based on the description, awardees are expected to support a wide range of needs, from early-stage concept development and business plan preparation to growth strategy, operational improvements, mentoring, and readiness for financing or related opportunities.
What does the eligibility category "Others" mean here?
The eligibility is listed as "Others," with additional clarification referenced in the full announcement text. This typically indicates applicants must meet specific organizational qualifications or demonstrate capacity to deliver region-wide services, partnerships, and program reporting requirements as detailed in the complete announcement.
What are the posting date and closing date for the announcement?
The notice was posted February 23, 2016. The original and current closing date listed is March 29, 2016.
Why does the announcement emphasize SBA oversight and working closely with SBA?
Because the funding is awarded via a cooperative agreement, the model is designed for close SBA involvement in program delivery and oversight to ensure services are carried out as intended, including standardized entrepreneurship education and ongoing support for military-connected entrepreneurs.
What is the underlying intent of funding only a small number of organizations?
The intent described is to ensure that veteran and military spouse entrepreneurship support is available in the specified regions through dedicated, qualified service providers operating under SBA oversight as part of the national VBOC network.
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