VOSB & SDVOSB Certifications

Win federal contracts for your small business with these dynamic U.S. Government programs. Find out how the Small Business Administration (SBA) can certify you to access contracts set aside for veteran-owned businesses.

SBA veteran assistance is divided into two programs: veteran-owned small business (VOSB) and service-disabled, veteran-owned small business (SDVOSB). Both programs offer contracting dollars that are specifically set aside for eligible contractors. If both VOSB and SDVOSB certifications are achieved, you qualify for 6% of the total set-aside contracts.

The objective of the Veteran Procurement Program is to provide federal government procuring agencies the authority to set acquisitions aside for exclusive competition among SDVOSB and VOSB concerns, as well as the authority to make sole source awards to these if certain conditions and requirements are met. (See Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 13 C.F.R. § 125.8-125.10).

Eligibility Requirements for the Service-Disabled, Veteran-Owned Small Business Program

Per SBA requirements, to become approved as an eligible SDVOSB, applicant firms must first meet multiple and specific terms and conditions. The full terms and conditions are available in Title 13 Part 125 Subpart B of the Code of Federal Regulations. Here are a few requirements:

• One or more service-disabled veterans own and control at least 51 percent of your business
• Meet SBA size standards defining a small business
• Have at least one service-disabled veteran making long-term decisions and managing daily operations
• Have a service-connected disability
• Reservists may qualify if they have a disability acquired during training or service related activities

Eligibility Requirements for the Veteran-Owned Small Business Program

• One or more veterans own and control at least 51 percent of your business
• Meet SBA size standards defining a small business
• Have at least one veteran making long-term decisions and managing daily operations
• Reservists may qualify if they have a form DD-214 (discharge) and have completed service hours or deployments unrelated to basic training or if seriously injured or disabled during training or service related activities

Once you receive SDVOSB program certification, then you may be eligible for sole-source contracting opportunities. The SBA states that a Contracting Officer (CO) may award a sole source contract if:

The requirement is not exempted from SDVOSB contracting and cannot be set aside

The CO does not have a reasonable expectation that at least two responsible SDVOSBCs will submit offers

The anticipated award price of the contract, including options, will not exceed:

1. $6.5 million for manufacturing requirements
2. $4.0 million for all other requirements

The award can be made at a fair market price

Veteran-owned small businesses can access federally owned personal property no longer in use through the General Services Administration's (GSA) Federal Surplus Personal Property Donation Program.

GSA oversees the reuse and donation of federal personal property. It also:

• Manages GSAXcess.gov
• Allocates property to the states for donation
• Reviews State Agency for Surplus Property (SASP) operations

SASP manages surplus property disbursement, including:

• Verification of eligibility
• Program compliance
• Fee collection
• Recordkeeping
• Dispute resolution (in accordance with respective states’ operating plans)

If the requirement is at or below the simplified acquisition threshold, the Contracting Officer may set aside the requirement for consideration among SDVOSBs using simplified acquisition procedures or may award a sole-source contract to an SDVOSB. A sole-source award is only permissible where there is only one Service Disabled Small Business Concern that performs the contract in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulations § 19.406 (a)(3).