Veteran-owned companies absolutely DO get special preference on contract awards. As do any businesses that hold SBA certifications (ex 8a, SDVOSB).

Ref: https://www.acquisition.gov/?q=browsefar
For SBA-specific requirements, see SubPart 6.2

I used to work for one such company. They repeatedly used their 'special consideration' to undercut the competition. Took on the competition's employees. Paid their workers bottom dollar and pocketed the difference (to the tune of 80%-85% of the contract rate).

I jumped on the contract on short notice after my predecessor left with no notice. From the start I was treated as the 'odd ball' because I was the only male employee who didn't have prior military service. Despite that, they kept me on board because my technical skills far exceeded any of my colleagues. When I proposed to improve the systems we used to track logistics I received, 'we don't want to get involved with technical stuff' as a response. When they undercut additional contracts that included a significant amount of 'technical stuff' I suddenly became the unofficial technical SME of the group. Go figure...

When I discovered that my employer didn't give two shits about improving support I shifted my focus to more effectively supporting the Marines directly. Providing technical guidance, technical support, bridging communication barriers, augmenting the leadership, etc...

Eventually, the there was a leadership turnover at my parent unit. The new CO was disgusted by the obvious cronyism taking place and dropped the contract.

Despite walking away without a pot to piss in I don't regret my decisions for a second. I earned the respect of the Marines I worked alongside through hard work and merit, support my country, work with some truly exceptional individuals, sharpen my leadership abilities, and have a measurable impact on their ability to accomplish the mission.

Despite all that, I doubt I'll ever receive consideration for another similar position. Let alone one anything approaching GS13. On paper, I'm a white male with no college degree and no prior military experience. I'm literally the bottom of the totem pole when it comes to government work. That I managed to get in under the radar to begin with was a complete anomaly.

> How many else here can?

I can. I have worked in the trenches, in terrible working conditions, starved of resources, and support. I took a many risks, adapted and overcame the circumstances, integrate and extended the capabilities of those I supported, and made 'drug deals' to get shit done when there was no other option. I would love the opportunity to continue making a difference but I can't afford to continue living hand-to-mouth.

Note: For the uninitiated, 'drug deals' in military-speak refer to trading favors. No, I don't and didn't sell actual drugs. For example I used to trade technical support for military-specific advice and personnel support. I had valuable skills to offer and in return could occasionally 'call in' favors when I didn't have the knowledge/resources/manpower to carry out the requirements of my contract. There are 'formal' systems to request support but they don't extend to non-military members. Contractors exist in sort of a bizarre 'gray area' where they're supposed to operate independently of the system but are screwed without it. To service members, 'drug deals' are par for the course and usually come in the form of a 6-pack of Beer or 4-pack of RedBulls.

What I say next is from hard earned first-hand experience, not speculation, not popular opinion. Military contractors that care about 'making a difference' are the exception, not the norm. The majority of contracting organizations are run by retirees looking to cash out. It's a retirement+ as far as they're concerned.