(a) Any applicant applying for certification as a minority-owned business, who was a military service member, and upon such applicant’s retirement, separation, or discharge from active duty in the armed forces of the United States, and who has been provided the DD form 214, may submit such form to prove his or her race or ethnicity, date of birth, place of birth, and verification of address for purposes of certification, in lieu of requiring the applicant to otherwise prove his or her race or ethnicity, provided the DD form 214 contains such information.