How Do I Certify as a Service-disabled Veteran-owned Small Business?

If you’re a service-disabled veteran-owned small business looking to get certified, this blog post is for you. We’ll walk you through the process of certification and what you need to do to get started.

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Introduction

The United States government has a goal of awarding 3% of all federal contracting dollars to service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses (SDVOSBs). In order to receive SDVOSB certification, your business must first be verified as Veteran-Owned and Small by the Veterans Affairs Center for Veterans Enterprise (CVE). Once your business is verified, you can then apply for SDVOSB certification through the Small Business Administration (SBA).

What is a Service-disabled Veteran-owned Small Business?

A Service-disabled Veteran-owned Small Business (SDVOSB) is a small business that is at least 51% owned by one or more service-disabled veterans, with the management and daily business operations controlled by those veterans. In order to be certified as an SDVOSB, a business must apply to the Veterans Administration (VA) and be verified as meeting the requirements.

There are a number of benefits available to businesses that are certified as SDVOSBs, including set-asides on government contracts and exclusive access to certain VA programs. For example, the VA has a goal of awarding 3% of all contract dollars to SDVOSBs, which has led to increased opportunities for these businesses in recent years. In addition, the VA offers a assistance programs specifically for SDVOSBs, such as help with financing, marketing, and business development.

If you are a veteran who owns a small business, or are thinking of starting one, investigating whether certification as an SDVOSB is right for you could open up a world of new opportunities.

Who is eligible to certify as a Service-disabled Veteran-owned Small Business?

In order to certify as a Service-disabled Veteran-owned Small Business (SDVOSB), the business must be at least 51% owned by one or more service-disabled veterans, and the management and daily business operations must be controlled by one or more service-disabled veterans.

How does one certify as a Service-disabled Veteran-owned Small Business?

There are a few requirements that businesses must meet in order to be certified as a Service-disabled Veteran-owned Small Business (SDVOSB).

First, the business must be 51 percent owned and controlled by one or more service-disabled veterans. In addition, the management and daily business operations must be controlled by service-disabled veterans.

The business must also be small according to the size standard set by the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS). For most industries, the size standard is that the average annual receipts cannot exceed $38.5 million.

To receive SDVOSB certification, businesses must submit an application to the Department of Veterans Affairs Center for Veterans Enterprise (CVE). The application must include supporting documentation such as proof of ownership, proof of veteran status, and financial statements.

What are the benefits of certification as a Service-disabled Veteran-owned Small Business?

There are many benefits of certification as a Service-disabled Veteran-owned Small Business (SDVOSB), including:

– Access to government contracts set aside for SDVOSBs
– Preference in procurement programs
– Receipt of marketing and technical assistance from the Small Business Administration
– Inclusion in the Central Contractor Registry and VetBiz vendor database

In order to certify as an SDVOSB, you must first meet the eligibility requirements. These include being a small business as defined by the Small Business Administration, and being at least 51% owned and controlled by one or more service-disabled veterans. For more information on certification, please visit the Veterans Affairs website.

How can a Service-disabled Veteran-owned Small Business get started?

There are a few things that a Service-disabled Veteran-owned Small Business (SDVOSB) must do in order to get started. The first step is to obtain a D-U-N-S Number. This number is used to uniquely identify a business and is required for many federal contracts. You can apply for a D-U-N-S Number by visiting the website of the Dunn and Bradstreet Company.

The second step is to register your business in the System for Award Management (SAM). SAM is the official government website that collects information about potential government contractors. registering in SAM is free and only takes a few minutes.

Once you have a D-U-N-S Number and you are registered in SAM, you can begin the process of certification by filling out an application on the Veteran Affairs (VA) website. The VA uses an online system called VetBiz Vendor Information Pages (VIP) to collect applications for SDVOSB certification.

You will need to provide proof of your disability, proof of your veteran status, and proof that you own and control your business. The VA will review your application and make a determination about your eligibility for certification. Once you are certified, you will be placed on a list of eligible SDVOSBs that government agencies can use when they are searching for contractors.

What are the next steps for a Service-disabled Veteran-owned Small Business?

There are a few different things that you will need to do in order to certify as a Service-disabled Veteran-owned Small Business. Firstly, you will need to fill out and submit an application. Once your application has been received and processed, you will need to provide proof of your service-disabled veteran status, as well as proof that your business is small according to the Small Business Administration’s size standards. You will also need to provide a business plan and financial statements. Once you have gathered all of the required documentation, you will need to submit it to the Veterans Affairs Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Office for review. If your business is approved, you will be issued a certificate of verification which you can use to participate in VA set-aside contracting opportunities.

Conclusion

If you’re a veterans looking to start a small business, you may be wondering how to certify as a service-disabled veteran-owned small business (SDVOSB). The good news is that the process isn’t too difficult, and there are a number of resources available to help you through it.

First, you’ll need to gather the required documentation. This includes your DD-214 form (or other proof of military service), your VA disability rating letter, and your business license. You’ll also need to fill out an application form and submit it to the Veterans Administration.

Once you’ve gathered all the required documentation and submitted your application, the VA will review your case and make a determination. If you are approved, you will receive a certificate that you can use to market your business as an SDVOSB.

There are a number of benefits that come with being certified as an SDVOSB. For one, you’ll be able to compete for set-aside contracts from the government. You’ll also be able to take advantage of special marketing programs and get assistance with access to capital.

If you’re interested in starting a small business, certifying as an SDVOSB is a great way to give yourself a competitive edge. With a little effort, you can obtain the necessary documentation and complete the certification process. Once you’re certified, you’ll be able to take advantage of all the benefits that come with being an SDVOSB.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB)?

A Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business is a small business concern that is at least 51% owned by one or more service-disabled veterans or, in the case of any publicly owned business, not less than 51% of the stock of which is owned by one or more service-disabled veterans; and whose management and daily business operations are controlled by one or more service-disabled veterans.

2. What is the difference between a SDVOSB and a Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB)?

The main difference between a SDVOSB and VOSB is that, for a concern to qualify as a SDVOSB, it must be owned and controlled by service-disabled veterans, and not just veterans. In addition, at least 51% of the employees at a SDVOSB must also be service-disabled veterans.

3. How do I certify my business as a SDVOSB?

To certify your business as a SDVOSB, you will need to submit an application to the Veterans Administration (VA). The VA will then review your application to determine if your business qualifies as a SDVOSB. Once your business has been certified as a SDVOSB, you will be able to participate in VA set-aside contracts and other opportunities that are specifically reserved for SDVOSBs. For more information on how to certify your business as a SDVOSB, please visit the VA’s Office of Small & Disadvantaged Business Utilization website at https://www.va.gov/osdbu/programs/sb_serv_dis_vob/.

4. What are the benefits of certifying my business as a SDVOSB?

As a certified SDVOSB, your business will be able to participate in VA set-aside contracts and other opportunities that are specifically reserved for SDVSOBs. In addition, you may also be found eligible for certain preferences when competing for contracts with other federal agencies. For more information on the benefits of being certified as a SDVSOB, please visit the VA’s Office of Small & Disadvantaged Business Utilization website at https://www.va.gov/osdbu/programs/sb_serv_dis_vob/.

Resources

There are multiple resources available to help you certify as a service-disabled veteran-owned small business (SDVOSB). The Veterans Affairs (VA) website provides an overview of the certification process as well as links to important application forms.

The Small Business Administration (SBA) also provides information and resources on their website. In addition, the SBA offers free counseling and training to small business owners through their Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) and Women’s Business Centers (WBCs).

To find contact information for the SBDC or WBC closest to you, please visit the SBA website.