While many people know that WorkMerk is a workflow software company, any encounter with the team and it’s culture leaves an immediate and lasting impression of its veteran background.
Veteran Background
Since its creation in 2016, WorkMerk has always had a veteran focus. Our organization is founded and led by veterans. John New, the CEO of WorkMerk, was an Army Captain. Patrick Murphy, the Executive Chairman of WorkMerk, was the 32nd Under Secretary of the Army. Steve Parker, the President of WorkMerk, has over 28 years of military service experience. Along with the leadership team, the company has continually employed veterans in its workforce.
Veteran-Owned Distinction
Because of our veteran background, we proudly display the seal and notable distinction of “Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business” (SDVOSB). SDVOSB signifies that we are a small business that is at least 51% veteran owned and controlled by one or more service-disabled veterans.
In 2017, WorkMerk also achieved the distinction of becoming “Vets First” certified-- a notable extension of being an SDVOSB. Vets First status is awarded by the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) and it “affords verified firms owned and controlled by Veterans and Service-disabled Veterans the opportunity to compete for VA set asides”.
“Vets First” Importance
Besides being symbols of recognition, these distinctions also provide contractual benefits for WorkMerk and its potential partners. Vets First is particularly important, as the more than $240 billion annual budget for the Department of Veterans Affairs is apportioned.
According to the Veterans Benefit Act of 2003, each government agency must set aside at least 3 percent of contracts for service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses. As part of these contracts, the SDVOSB business can subcontract between 50-85% of it, depending on the type of work performed under the contract.This means that a sizable number of veteran contracts must go to businesses like ours, and that there are clear options for partnerships.
Out of all the government agencies, the VA has set aside the largest percentage of contracts. In turn, this stimulates the small business community and creates growth for the economy. By being an SDVOSB that is a “Vets First” business, WorkMerk is one of the small number of companies who can compete for these SDVOSB set aside contracts in the Veterans First Contracting Program. Annually, the VA spends over $3 billion with eligible Veteran-Owned Small Businesses, so the opportunities for doing business with veteran owned companies is significant for potential partners.
Across the country, there are approximately 2.5 million veteran-owned businesses. But, only a fraction of a percentage of those are Vets First businesses. This means that these businesses can be hard to come by, especially when it comes to providing real-world solutions for these contracts.
What we are doing and hope to do with this distinction
Right now, WorkMerk is partnered with several large government consulting firms on different “set aside” government contracts to leverage our innovative software technologies - workSMART, learnSMART, and VirusSAFE Pro - to help solve real-world problems.
WorkMerk has a history of helping veterans and deskless workers improve productivity and learning in the workplace. We would like to double our partnerships over the next year. Opportunities for growth in remote work, task verification and contextualized reminders is expanding and we intend to keep pace. There is no better time to be a veteran-owned business, than right now. We were born for the moment and we look forward to adapting and thriving in the year ahead!
If your business is interested in partnering with us, contact WorkMerk WorkforceManagement Specialist Harrison Hayman at harrison@WorkMerk.com