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Certifications›SDVOSB
Small Business Administration (SBA) · Federal Set-Aside Program
🎖️

SDVOSB
Certification

Veteran-owned certification with $25B+ in annual set-aside contracts.

The SDVOSB program provides service-disabled veterans who own small businesses with preferential access to federal contracting. SDVOSB-certified firms can compete for set-aside contracts restricted to service-disabled veteran-owned businesses, with the VA alone awarding $10B+ annually through its SDVOSB and VOSB programs.

Program At a Glance
Annual set-aside value
$25B+
Contracts per year
12,000+
Avg contract value
$2.1M
Processing time
30–60 days
Certification length
Annual recertification required
Annual renewal
Required
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Overview

What is the SDVOSB?

Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) certification recognizes small businesses that are at least 51% owned and controlled by one or more service-disabled veterans. The certification is administered by the SBA and provides access to both governmentwide SDVOSB set-asides and VA-specific programs under the Veterans First Contracting Program.

Why It Matters

The competitive advantage

Federal agencies have a 3% statutory goal for SDVOSB contracting. The VA goes further — it has a mandatory Veterans First policy requiring contracting officers to prioritize SDVOSB and VOSB firms before opening competition. The VA alone represents one of the largest buyers of healthcare, IT, and facilities services in the federal government.

Eligibility Requirements

Do you qualify?

1
Service-disabled veteran ownership
At least 51% owned by one or more service-disabled veterans — individuals with a disability that is service-connected as determined by the VA or DoD.
2
Service-disabled veteran control
The service-disabled veteran owner must manage day-to-day operations and make long-term decisions for the business.
3
Small business status
Must meet SBA size standards for your primary NAICS code.
4
US citizenship
Service-disabled veteran owner must be a US citizen.
5
VA disability rating
Must have a VA disability rating letter or DoD determination of a service-connected disability. A 0% rating qualifies if the disability is service-connected.
Benefits

What you unlock

$25B+ pool
SDVOSB set-aside contracts
Compete for contracts restricted to SDVOSB firms — significantly smaller competitive pools than open competition.
$10B+ VA pool
VA Veterans First priority
VA contracting officers must prioritize SDVOSB firms before opening competition — guaranteed first look.
Up to $7M
Sole-source eligibility
Eligible for sole-source awards up to $4.5M (services) or $7M (manufacturing).
Stackable
Stackable with other certs
SDVOSB can be combined with 8(a), HUBZone, or WOSB for additional competitive advantages.
Free
No annual fee
SBA SDVOSB certification is free. Annual recertification required but straightforward.
How to Apply

Step-by-step application

1
Obtain your VA disability rating letter or DoD determination confirming service-connected disability
2
Register in SAM.gov — ensure veteran status fields are completed accurately
3
Gather documents: DD-214, VA rating letter, business ownership documents, operating agreement or bylaws
4
Apply through certify.sba.gov — SBA took over from VA's CVE in January 2023
5
Complete the online application (10–20 hours typical)
6
SBA reviews and may request additional documentation
7
Receive certification — processing typically 30–60 days
✓
Certify annually to maintain status
Apply at certify.sba.gov ↗
Common Mistakes

What trips people up

✗Confusing VOSB and SDVOSB — SDVOSB requires a service-connected disability, VOSB does not
✗Not obtaining the VA disability rating before applying — this is a prerequisite
✗Allowing a non-veteran employee or board member to have effective control of the business
✗Missing annual recertification — certification lapses without renewal
✗Not updating certify.sba.gov when business structure or ownership changes
✗Applying before SAM.gov registration is active and correct
FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Q: What disability rating do I need for SDVOSB?
Any service-connected disability rating qualifies — even 0%. The key is that the VA or DoD has determined the disability is service-connected. A higher rating is not required.
Q: Is SDVOSB the same as VOSB?
No. VOSB (Veteran-Owned Small Business) requires veteran ownership but not a service-connected disability. SDVOSB is a subset of VOSB and unlocks additional contracting preferences, including the VA's Veterans First program.
Q: Does my disability need to be combat-related?
No. Any service-connected disability qualifies regardless of how it was incurred. Training injuries, illnesses contracted during service, and non-combat injuries all qualify if determined service-connected by the VA.
Q: Can I hold both SDVOSB and 8(a) certifications?
Yes. If you meet both eligibility criteria, holding both certifications maximizes your competitive options. You can compete for 8(a) set-asides, SDVOSB set-asides, and sole-source awards under either program.
Q: What changed when SBA took over from VA CVE in 2023?
The SBA took over certification from the VA's Center for Verification and Eligibility (CVE) in January 2023. All certifications now go through certify.sba.gov. Previously VA-certified firms needed to recertify through SBA by a specified deadline.
Related Certifications

Stack your certifications

🎯
8(a) Program
$30B+
The most powerful small business certification in federal contracting.
Read full guide →
📍
HUBZone
$12B+
Location-based certification unlocking billions in set-aside contracts.
Read full guide →
🦅
VOSB
$15B+
Veteran ownership certification — VA's Veterans First program priority.
Read full guide →

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