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Success Story: Veteran Business Owner

David Otano is owner/operator of Coqui Disposal Services LLC, an 8A and Service Connected Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business providing refuse disposal removal services that was formed in March of 2008. He is president/owner of Coqui Disposal Services, LLC and has been a Veteran Business Outreach Center (VBOC) client from initial start-up in February 2008.

David has built his business by successfully submitting proposals on and winning small sub contracts to haul and dispose of trash at Tyndall Air Force Base within months of start- up. VBOC assisted David with preparing a capabilities statement and guiding him through use of his Service Connected Disability Status for proposing on set-aside procurement opportunities in Government contracting.

The discussion of David acquiring 8a company status began as early as October of 2008, as well as discussions on registering with the Veterans Administration through the CvE program in their closed bidding system for Coqui to provide waste disposal services to the Veterans Administration (VA). David is currently working under a $3,000,000, Sub contract to provide waste removal at Tyndall Air Force Base.

This three year contract, renewed yearly provides David with the past performance and cash flow to grow his business to a more sustainable position. Recently Coqui has been accepted into the 8a program, has won two contracts with the Federal Aviation Agency (FAA) for lawn maintenance as well as other property maintenance.

He has successfully closed on a commercial working capital loan. David is currently working on larger projects as the three year contract winds down and is in the process of completing CvE certification to work as a vendor with the VA.

David says of the VBOC: “Thanks for helping me out. You know as a small veteran owned company it is reassuring that guys like you are looking out for the small guys like me.”

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