Veteran business benefits in West Virginia (2026)

3.5% preference for resident veterans — but not on construction

3.5% evaluation preference; excludes construction

West Virginia Code § 5A-3-37(a)(5) and (6) let a qualifying resident vendor who is a veteran of the US armed forces, the reserves or the National Guard request preference for their residency status at the time of bid, at 3.5%. Note the framing the Purchasing Division uses: this preference "does not apply to construction", and it "is an evaluation method only and will be applied only to the cost bid". Mechanically, out-of-state bids are marked up by the preference factor and then compared — so it changes who wins, not what the winner is paid. Reserve and National Guard service counts, which is broader than the service-disabled-only programmes in much of the country.

Who qualifiesA qualifying West Virginia resident vendor who is a veteran of the United States armed forces, the reserves or the National Guard. The preference must be requested AT THE TIME OF BID using the Purchasing Division's Vendor Preference Certificate — it is not applied automatically. Does not apply to construction contracts.

Source: West Virginia Purchasing Division Handbook § 6.3.1 (W. Va. Code § 5A-3-37(a)(5) & (6)) · verified 2026-08-12

Certify as SWAM and your preference travels to other states

A useful piece of leverage most West Virginia vendors never use. Under W. Va. Code § 5A-3-37(a)(7), a NON-RESIDENT vendor certified as a small, women-owned or minority-owned business under § 5A-3-59 receives the same preference available to a resident vendor — and the Purchasing Division points out the reciprocal implication in its own handbook: this certification "may assist resident small, women and minority-owned businesses when soliciting business in other states." State rules confirm a non-resident SWAM business receives the highest preference available to a resident vendor in that solicitation. If your veteran-owned business also qualifies as small, the SWAM certification is the portable credential; the 3.5% veteran preference is the West-Virginia-only one.

Who qualifiesCertification as a small, women-owned or minority-owned business under W. Va. Code § 5A-3-59. Must identify itself as such in writing on the Vendor Preference Certificate and submit it with the bid, and must have indicated the status on the Vendor Registration and Disclosure Statement. See W. Va. Code of State Rules § 148-22-9.

Source: West Virginia Purchasing Division Handbook § 6.3.2 (W. Va. Code § 5A-3-37(a)(7); CSR § 148-22-9) · verified 2026-08-12

Federal surplus property — equipment at donation prices, with a use clock

Donated federal property; use within 1 year, retain 12–18 months

The West Virginia State Agency for Surplus Property can transfer property no longer needed by federal agencies to eligible veteran-owned businesses, under the Veteran's Small Business Enhancement Act of 2018. The Department of Administration puts the case for it plainly: "The cost savings of acquiring donated federal property versus purchasing that property brand new could be the thing that keeps a veteran's business open." The conditions are real and time-bound — you must put the property into use within one year, and keep it in use for 12 to 18 months depending on its original acquisition cost. The federal government retains title until you have satisfied those compliance requirements, so this is a conditional transfer rather than an outright gift.

Who qualifiesA veteran-owned small business in West Virginia. You must FIRST register with and obtain verification from the US Department of Veterans Affairs, then contact WVSASP on 304.766.2626 for login information and instructions — requests for federal surplus property must be processed through WVSASP.

Source: West Virginia Department of Administration — Veteran-Owned Small Businesses Now Eligible to Acquire Federal Surplus Property · verified 2026-08-12