SDVOSB and VOSB Certification: How Veteran-Owned Businesses Get Certified
Updated
Since 2023 the SBA certifies veteran-owned (VOSB) and service-disabled veteran-owned (SDVOSB) small businesses, through its Veteran Small Business Certification. Certification is needed to win SDVOSB set-asides, 455 of them open today, and the VA's veteran-owned set-asides. Federal Bid Alerts sends the new ones that match your business every morning.
Newest SDVOSB set-asides
All 455 open service disabled veteran set-asides
Who qualifies
- At least 51% owned and controlled by one or more veterans, who manage the business day to day.
- For SDVOSB: those veterans have a service-connected disability rated by the VA or the Department of Defense.
- The business is small under the SBA size standard for its NAICS code.
How to apply
- Be registered and active in SAM.gov (how).
- Apply through the SBA's veteran certification portal, with proof of veteran status (and the disability rating for SDVOSB), and ownership and control documents.
- Once certified, your status shows in SAM.gov and the SBA's search.
The VA buys first from veteran-owned businesses under its Veterans First program: see the open VA contracts.
Questions
What is the difference between VOSB and SDVOSB?
A VOSB is at least 51% owned and controlled by veterans; an SDVOSB by veterans with a service-connected disability.
Who certifies SDVOSBs?
The SBA, through its Veteran Small Business Certification, since 2023. It replaced the VA's own verification.
Can I self-certify as an SDVOSB?
Not for SDVOSB set-asides: certification by the SBA is required.