Veteran Contracting Assistance Programs

Every year, the federal government awards a portion of contracting dollars specifically to businesses owned by veterans. Also, small businesses owned by veterans may be eligible to purchase surplus property from the federal government.

Certification with SBA allows service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses (SDVOSBs) to compete for federal sole-source and set-aside contracts across the federal government. Certified veteran-owned small businesses (VOSBs) have additional opportunities to pursue sole-source and set-aside contracts at the Veterans Administration (VA) under the VA’s Vets First program.

SBA’s new Veteran Small Business Certification program implements changes from the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (NDAA 2021) which transfers the certification function from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to SBA as of January 1, 2023. The transfer will provide veterans with a central support point for their small business certification needs.

The final rule, which provides program and governance guidance, was published in the Federal Register on November 29, 2022.

• Certification allows SDVOSB firms the opportunity to compete for sole-source and set-aside contracts across the federal government. Certified VOSBs may also compete for sole-source and set-aside contracts from the VA.
• Self-certified firms seeking these restricted-competition opportunities must apply to SBA for certification by December 31, 2023.

To apply for certification with SBA as a VOSB or SDVOSB, a firm must meet the following requirements:

• Be considered a small business, as defined by the size standard corresponding to any NAICS code listed in the business’s SAM profile.
• Have no less than 51% of the business owned and controlled by one or more veterans.
• For certification as a SDVOSB, have no less than 51% of the business owned and controlled by one or more veterans rated as service-disabled by the VA.
• For those veterans who are permanently and totally disabled and unable to manage the daily business operations of their business, their business may still qualify if their spouse or appointed, permanent caregiver is assisting in that management.

For a full list of eligibility requirements, see the final rule published in the Federal Register.

• Firms verified by the VA Center for Verification and Evaluation (CVE) as of January 1, 2023, are automatically granted certification by SBA for the remainder of the firm’s eligibility period.
• SBA intends to grant a one-time, one-year extension of certification to current VOSBs and SDVOSBs verified by the VA as of the transfer date on January 1, 2023. This additional year will be added to the existing eligibility period of a current participant.
• New applicants certified by SBA after January 1, 2023, will receive the standard three-year certification period.

• The NDAA 2021 grants a one-year grace period for self-certified SDVOSBs until January 1, 2024.  During the grace period, self-certified businesses have one year to file an application for SDVOSB certification and may continue to rely on their self-certification to compete for non-VA SDVOSB set-aside contracts.
• Self-certified SDVOSBs that apply before January 1, 2024, will maintain their eligibility through the expiration of the grace period until SBA issues a final eligibility decision.
• VOSBs and SDVOSBs seeking sole-source and set-aside opportunities with the VA must be certified – there is no grace period.

SBA will begin accepting applications for certification on January 9, 2023.  A link to the application portal will be posted at a later date.

Through the application portal, you will be able to:

• Access checklists and pre-application guides
• Check your firm’s eligibility
• Request information
• Create an account, login and proceed with an application
• Search for a certified VOSB or SDVOSB

For more details about the transfer and SBA’s Veteran Small Business Certification, see our Frequently Asked Questions.

To submit questions about the transfer and SBA’s Veteran Small Business Certification, please email cvetransfer@sba.gov

The federal government aims to award at least 3% of all federal contracting dollars to SDVOSBs each year.

Competition is limited for certain federal contract opportunities to businesses that participate in the SDVOSB program.

Joining the SDVOSB program makes your business eligible to compete for the program’s set-aside and sole source contracts.

SDVOSBs may self-certify their status through 2023 to compete for set-aside contracts at most federal agencies. However, VA does not recognize SDVOSB self-certification. Self-certified SDVOSBs must apply for SBA certification by the January 1, 2024 to be able to compete for set-aside contracts with the federal government.

You can view the full eligibility requirements in the final rule published in the Federal Register.

You can self-certify your business to the federal government as being owned by a service-disabled veteran. Simply update the socio-economic status section of your business profile at SAM.gov.

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)

VOSBs may get federal surplus property from the SASP in the state where the property will be primarily located and used. You must agree in writing that your VOSB:

• Is located and operated within the state
• Is unconditionally owned and controlled by one or more eligible veterans, service-disabled veterans, or surviving spouses
• Has registered and is in “verified” status in the VA’s Vets First Verification Program database through 2022.
• After January 1, 2023, to be eligible, a VOSB must show “certified” status in SBA’s VetCert program database.
• Will use the property in the normal conduct of its business activities (personal or non-business use is prohibited)
• Will not sell, transfer, loan, lease, encumber or otherwise dispose of the property during the period of restriction unless it has received express written authorization from SASP, GSA, and SBA
• Will get permission from the donating SASP before permanently removing the property from the state
• Will use the property as intended within one year of receipt
• Will maintain its VOSB eligibility with VA and SASP for the duration of the applicable federal period of restriction for donated property
• Will give SBA, GSA, and/or SASP access to inspect the property and all pertinent records

Contact the SASP in the state where your VOSB is headquartered for more details on program requirements and eligibility.

Learn more about GSA’s Federal Surplus Personal Property Donation Program.