SDVOSB CERTIFICATION

SDVOSB — Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business — is a federal small business designation administered by the U.S. Small Business Administration through the SBA VetCert program. Certification opens access to sole-source awards, set-aside solicitations, and the federal government's 5% SDVOSB contracting goal across every civilian and defense agency.

Who qualifies

To be eligible for SDVOSB certification under 13 CFR § 128, a business must meet all four core tests:

• Service-connected disability. At least one owner must have a service-connected disability rating from the VA (Schedule for Rating Disabilities) or a permanent-and-total (P&T) determination from the Department of Defense.
• 51% ownership. One or more service-disabled veterans must unconditionally and directly own at least 51% of the firm.
• Control. A qualifying veteran must hold the highest officer position (CEO, President, Managing Member) and control both long-term strategy and day-to-day management.
• Small business size. The firm must fall under the small business size standard for its primary NAICS code (revenue- or employee-based, depending on industry).

Documents SBA VetCert requires

• VA disability rating letter or DoD P&T determination
• DD-214 or equivalent service verification
• Formation documents (Articles of Organization / Incorporation, Operating Agreement, Bylaws)
• Current SAM.gov Unique Entity ID (UEI) and active registration
• IRS Form W-9 and most recent business and personal tax returns
• Corporate governance records showing veteran control (meeting minutes, officer resolutions)
• Bank signature cards and evidence of unconditional ownership

Timeline & validity

SBA VetCert applications typically complete review in 60–120 days from submission, with faster turnaround when documentation is complete on first pass. Certification is valid for three years, with a continuing obligation to report material changes in ownership, control, or size within 30 days.

What certification unlocks

• Sole-source awards up to $7.5M (manufacturing) or $4.5M (all other contracts) without competition.
• SDVOSB set-aside solicitations across every federal agency counting toward the government-wide 5% SDVOSB spending goal.
• VA "Vets First" priority — the Department of Veterans Affairs must consider SDVOSB firms before all other set-asides under 38 U.S.C. § 8127.
• Eligibility for state-level veteran preference programs and prime/subcontractor teaming with large defense integrators pursuing SDVOSB subcontracting plans.

How to apply

1. Register (or refresh) your business at SAM.gov and obtain a UEI.
2. Assemble the document set above in PDF form.
3. Create an account at veterans.certify.sba.gov and complete the SDVOSB application.
4. Respond to any SBA analyst requests within the deadlines they specify — missed deadlines are the most common cause of denial.
5. Once certified, list your certification in SAM.gov's DSBS profile and begin bidding on set-aside opportunities.

Common eligibility pitfalls

• Non-veteran outside investors holding preferred equity that erodes unconditional ownership.
• Split control — a non-veteran spouse or partner serving as CEO or holding tie-breaking board authority.
• Affiliation with a larger firm through shared management, resources, or 3-in-2 rule violations that push the firm over the NAICS size standard.
• Missing veteran control — the veteran owner must live within reasonable commuting distance of the primary business location and cannot hold outside employment that prevents full-time control.

Related programs

• VOSB — Veteran-Owned Small Business, same VetCert application, no service-connected disability required.
• 8(a) Business Development — socially and economically disadvantaged; stackable with SDVOSB.
• HUBZone — location- and workforce-based; also stackable.
• State SBE / DBE programs — e.g., Washington's OMWBE Small Business Enterprise certification, which complements federal SDVOSB status for state contracts.