For veteran-owned businesses, the path to federal contracts has long been paved with paperwork and patience. But as the Army pushes harder for commercial solutions and faster innovation, that path is widening — and the National Veteran Business Development Council (NVBDC) is making sure its certified companies are ready to walk through the new doors.
Jim Cowper, Chair of the NVBDC Board of Directors.
2026 AUSA Annual Meeting & Exposition
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AUSA 2026 highlights emerging defense contracting opportunities and new ways veteran-owned businesses can compete in the federal marketplace.
TROY, MI, UNITED STATES, October 26, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — The 2026 Association of the United States Army (AUSA) Annual Meeting and Exposition made one thing clear: federal procurement is no longer just about who can meet a spec sheet. The conversation has shifted toward commercial innovation, private-sector collaboration, and delivering solutions to national defense challenges at a much quicker pace.
At the center of that conversation was Elaine Taylor, Executive Director of NVBDC, who attended the 2026 AUSA Annual Conference to deepen ties with military leadership, defense contractors, and industry partners. She didn’t go alone — a group of NVBDC-Certified businesses joined her, signaling that veteran-owned enterprises are serious about competing in both the commercial and federal arenas.
AUSA Highlights
This year’s AUSA Annual Meeting and Exposition put a spotlight on how the Army is weaving commercial solutions into its modernization, acquisition, and supply chain playbook. The big themes? Leveraging commercially developed technologies to speed up innovation, adopting flexible acquisition approaches that lower barriers for nontraditional suppliers, and expanding public-private partnerships to boost manufacturing capacity and supply chain resilience. With the Army doubling down on rapid delivery, scalable capabilities, and operational readiness, there’s a clear demand for businesses that can take proven commercial products and adapt them for military use.
For veteran-owned businesses, that shift represents a real opening. Companies can now compete in the federal market by showcasing technical capability, commercial performance, and mission-focused execution. Programs like the Army’s Strategic Capital Initiative, xTech competitions, industry partnerships, and small-business matchmaking are all potential entry points into the defense market.
NVBDC 3.0: From Certification to Opportunity
The themes emerging from this year’s AUSA conference line up directly with NVBDC 3.0, the organization’s expanded strategic vision. It’s no longer just about getting certified — the goal is to push further into business development, supplier readiness, innovation, and access to new markets.
Through corporate matchmaking, strategic partnerships, AI education, digital readiness initiatives, and expanded federal engagement, NVBDC is helping veteran-owned businesses sharpen their competitive edge and build stronger connections to procurement opportunities.
For veteran-owned businesses eyeing federal contracts, there are a few practical first moves: register in SAM.gov, craft a solid capability statement, keep an eye on federal solicitations and relevant Commercial Solutions Openings (CSOs), and pursue SBA VetCert certification when eligible.
SBA VetCert covers both Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (VOSBs) and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSBs). That certification is a must for accessing set-aside and sole-source opportunities under the VA’s Veterans First Contracting Program and relevant federal SDVOSB contracting programs. NVBDC certification works alongside this by validating veteran ownership for corporate supplier recognition and commercial procurement opportunities — a pathway to market access and growth that goes beyond federal contracting alone.
By helping businesses navigate these pathways and connect with government buyers and prime contractors, NVBDC is positioning itself as a key player in turning business capabilities into actual contracting wins.
Building the Next Generation of Veteran Business Opportunities
Elaine Taylor’s presence at AUSA underscores NVBDC’s commitment to giving veteran-owned businesses a seat at the table in discussions that will shape the future of defense procurement and commercial innovation.
As federal agencies hunt for new solutions and stronger domestic supply chains, veteran entrepreneurs bring a unique mix of leadership, technical know-how, and operational experience to the marketplace.
The mission of NVBDC 3.0 is straightforward: move from certification to opportunity, from connections to contracts, and from veteran business recognition to measurable economic growth.
Through strategic engagement and expanded market access initiatives, NVBDC is helping position veteran-owned businesses to compete, innovate, and contribute to America’s economic and national security.
The key takeaway for veteran-owned businesses is to position themselves as capable, competitive solutions providers within the DoD and Army’s evolving defense ecosystem. By aligning their capabilities with military needs and actively pursuing government and industry partnerships, they can seize emerging opportunities — without assuming that veteran ownership alone carries the day.
About NVBDC
The National Veteran Business Development Council (NVBDC) is a nationally recognized third-party certification organization dedicated to creating corporate contracting opportunities for veteran-owned and service-disabled veteran-owned businesses. Through rigorous certification standards, corporate partnerships, education, and business development initiatives, NVBDC helps veteran entrepreneurs compete and grow.
Paul Edelstein
National Veterans Business Development Council (NVBDC)
+1 248-747-2392
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Why it matters: The Army’s pivot toward commercial solutions and flexible acquisition is reshaping how the federal marketplace works. For veteran-owned businesses, that means the skills and products they’ve already proven in the private sector could now be their ticket to government contracts — provided they take the right steps to get in the door.
