By MC3 Brian H. Abel

NPS Graduate School of Business and Public Policy (GSBPP) Assistant Professor for Procurement Law and Policy, Max Kidalov, has been appointed to the Interagency Task Force on Veterans Small Business Development by the Small Business Administration. The task force provides resources for veterans and wounded warriors to empower themselves and their fellow former service members through entrepreneurship.

"The Task Force is a federal committee that is designed to bring representatives together from different agencies to help veterans transition and become economically self-sufficient," said Kidalov. "It focuses on three things: helping veterans get capital, vocational training or counseling to start their own business; and, helping veterans get government contracts."

The agency not only assists veterans with financial stability, it also provides new ideas for use of the Montgomery G.I Bill and Post 9/11 Bill.

"A proposal that has been pending with Capital Hill right now will allow the use of G.I. Bill benefits, not only for education, but also to help veterans start a business," said Kidalov. "The Department of Defense has a three percent goal, which means they want to award three percent of its contracts and sub-contracts to small firms owned by service disabled veterans."

Kidalov added that he feels NPS has a great opportunity, and he hopes the education and research gained will benefit veterans more efficiently.

"In my program, I teach contracting rules for veterans in my classes," said Kidalov. "I know the students are very interested and excited in being able to help veterans, and of course they'll soon be veterans themselves."

For more information about the program, visit https://www.sba.gov/offices/headquarters/ovbd/resources/14372