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.

Apply now: Visit the Veteran Small Business Certification portal.

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 U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) under the VA’s Vets First program.

SBA’s Veteran Small Business Certification program implements changes from the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (NDAA 2021) which transferred the certification function from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to SBA as of January 1, 2023. The transfer provides 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.

To establish an SBA account and apply for certification, visit the Veteran Small Business Certification portal.

Through the application portal, you can:

• 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

Frequently Asked Questions and other assistance:

• Our SBA Veteran Small Business Certification fact sheet will help you prepare your application and gather the correct documents
• For more details about the transfer and SBA’s Veteran Small Business Certification
  • See our Frequently Asked Questions
  • Email vetcert@sba.gov 
  • Call the dedicated toll-free call center at 800-862-8088, Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. ET (excludes federal holidays)

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.

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 previously verified by the VA Center for Verification and Evaluation (CVE) as of January 1, 2023, were automatically granted certification by SBA for the remainder of the firm’s eligibility period, along with a one-time, one-year extension.
• New applicants certified by SBA after January 1, 2023, will receive the standard three-year certification period.

• The one-year grace period for self-certification of SDVOSB status ended on December 31, 2023. This applies to sole-source and set-aside contract eligibility.
  • Did your business apply for self-certification before the end of the grace period? If so, you are still eligible for self-certification until SBA decides on the application. 
  • If you are not sure about your business, find out What Businesses Had Pending Applications with VetCert as of December 31, 2023.
• VOSBs and SDVOSBs seeking sole-source and set-aside opportunities with the VA must be certified. There is no self-certification provision for these unique opportunities.
• SDVOSB certification will also soon be required for goaling and subcontracting credit. This is as directed by the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024. The grace period for this purpose will end on December 22, 2024.

The federal government aims to award at least 5% 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.

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

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 Acquisition Gateway
• 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 “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 SBA 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.

Review more SBA programs for veterans or contact us at:

Office of Veterans Business Development
409 3rd St. SW, Suite 5700
Washington, DC 20416
Phone: 202-205-6773