Are you a veteran looking to take your small business to new heights? The federal government offers a wealth of contracting opportunities specifically reserved for businesses owned by veterans. Additionally, veterans who own small businesses may be eligible to purchase surplus property from the federal government, opening up even more avenues for growth and success.
Veteran Small Business Certification (VetCert) Program
The certification process with the Small Business Administration (SBA) enables service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses (SDVOSBs) to compete for federal sole-source and set-aside contracts across various government agencies. Certified veteran-owned small businesses (VOSBs) gain access to additional contracting opportunities, particularly within the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) through the VA’s Vets First program.
How to Apply for Certification
Ready to take the next step? Establish an SBA account and apply for certification through the Veteran Small Business Certification portal. Here’s what you can do through the application portal:
- Access checklists and pre-application guides
- Verify your firm’s eligibility
- Request information
- Create an account, log in, and proceed with your application
- Search for certified VOSBs or SDVOSBs
For further assistance, check out our SBA Veteran Small Business Certification fact sheet to prepare your application and gather the necessary documents. Contact SDB Growth for assistance with your application to the Veteran Small Business Certification at https://sdbgrowth.com/contact/.
Benefits of SBA Certification
Certification opens doors to sole-source and set-aside contracts across the federal government for SDVOSBs. Additionally, certified VOSBs gain access to similar opportunities within the VA.
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for certification as a VOSB or SDVOSB, your firm must meet the following criteria:
- Be classified as a small business, as per the size standards corresponding to any NAICS code listed in your business’s SAM profile.
- Have at least 51% ownership and control by one or more veterans.
- For SDVOSB certification, ensure at least 51% ownership and control by one or more veterans rated as service-disabled by the VA.
Grace Period and Program Benefits
The grace period for self-certification of SDVOSB status ended on December 31, 2023. Going forward, SDVOSBs seeking sole-source and set-aside opportunities with the VA must be certified. Joining the SDVOSB program makes your business eligible to compete for the program’s set-aside and sole-source contracts.
Contact SDB Growth at https://sdbgrowth.com/ for more information.
