Under IC 4-22-2-24, notice is hereby given that on February 7, 2014, at 9:00 a.m., at the Indiana Government Center South, 402 West Washington Street, Conference Center Room D, Indianapolis, Indiana, the Indiana Department of Administration will hold a public hearing on a proposed rule concerning the Indiana Veteran Owned Small Businesses (IVBE) program.

The proposed rule establishes regulations and procedures necessary to implement the IVBE program, which is authorized pursuant to Executive Order 13-04 and IC 5-22-14-11. No rule is currently in place for the IVBE program. IC 5-22-14-11 and the proposed rule are designed to help men and women who have completed military service for their country, including those who have previously served, by providing economic opportunities to current and prospective Indiana Veteran Owned Small Business (VOSB) firms certified by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Specifically, IC 5-22-14-11 establishes the IVBE procurement goal at 3% of eligible state contracts. The proposed rule observes the VOSB program and certification process. The proposed rule does not impose any negative direct costs or consequences on an IVBE beyond those currently required by the VOSB program. There are no fees associated with the IVBE program under the proposed rule. The proposed rule will not impose burdensome compliance obligations or expenses on IVBE, as they will be required to submit documentation already maintained as a result of their enrollment and certification in the VOSB program. Indirect costs associated with the proposed rule are those necessary to comply with the VOSB program. Those costs may include time and resources required to apply for the VOSB program, which includes an application, verification, evaluation, and determination stage, as well as a process to apply for certification renewal. There are no fees associated with the VOSB application process. The least stringent means of compliance and reporting requirements have been utilized in the proposed rule. The Indiana Department of Administration is authorized to adopt the proposed rule under IC 4-13-1-7 and IC 5-22-14-11. Pursuant to IC 4-22-2-24(d)(3), the proposed rule will not impose any additional requirements or costs.

All parties interested in the proposed rule are invited to attend the public hearing and to offer public comments. Oral statements will be heard, but, for the accuracy of the record, all comments should be submitted in writing. In lieu of attending the public hearing, written comments may be sent to: Indiana Department of Administration, Attention: Brandon Clifton, Indiana Government Center South, 402 West Washington Street, Room W478, Indianapolis, IN 46204. Written comments should be identified in the following manner: "COMMENT RE: LSA #13-402, IVBE". All written comments regarding the proposed rule and received by the Indiana Department of Administration will be available for public inspection at the Indiana Department of Administration, Indiana Government Center South, 402 West Washington Street, Room W478, Indianapolis, Indiana.

Copies of the proposed rule and this notice are available on the Indiana Department of Administration's website at:

Copies of these rules are now on file at the Indiana Department of Administration, Indiana Government Center South, 402 West Washington Street, Room W478 and Legislative Services Agency, Indiana Government Center North, 100 North Senate Avenue, Room N201, Indianapolis, Indiana and are open for public inspection.