FedBiz’5 Podcast | Episode 30: Benefits of the Veteran Certification
Benefits of the Veteran Certification
In its mission to care for veterans, the federal government developed the veterans set-aside certifications for Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (“VOSB”) and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (“SDVOSB”). Per the SBA there are approximately 2.5 million veteran owned businesses in the U.S., but only 15,299 are certified through the Veterans Administration (“VA”).
In this episode of FedBiz’5 we are hosting Amanda Bach from FedBiz Access to discuss the benefits of the veteran certification program.
The federal government has set-aside and sole source contracts available for veteran-owned small businesses that have been certified through the VA. In total the SBA goal for awarding small businesses federal contracts is 23.0% of all federal contract spending. For FY2021 this spending exceeded 27.0% or $154.2 Billion.
In particular, set-aside federal contract spending for SDVOSB has a targeted goal of 3.0% and exceeded this in FY2021 to 4.4% or $25 Billion.
To qualify as a veteran-owned small business, a business must:
- Be a for-profit small business according to SBA’s size standards
- Be at least 51% owned and controlled by one or more veterans that have been honorably discharged
- Have one or more veterans manage day-to-day operations and make long-term decisions
- In addition, to qualify for the SDVOSB designation eligible veterans must have a VA verified service-connected disability
Currently, eligible small businesses must receive their VOSB and SDVOSB certification through VA’s Center for Verification and Evaluation (“CVE”), as required by the National Defense Authorization Act (“NDAA”) of 2021.
Effective January 1, 2023, the VA’s CVE responsibilities will be transferred to SBA. At that time veterans will no longer be able to self-certify in the SBA Dynamic Small Business System (“DSBS”).
Federal agencies will still be mandated to set-aside a certain percentage of their business to certified VOSB and SDVOSB businesses. This will increase the need for SBA certified veteran-owned business, instead of relying on self-certification to be considered for candidacy for certain of those set-aside awards.
FedBiz Access honors the sacrifice of our veterans and proudly offers support services to help veteran-owned businesses expedite registration for certification as a VOSB or SDVOSB business eligible for certain federal contracts set-aside specifically under the SDVOSB and VOSB designations.
FedBiz Access has over 21 years of experience working with companies to help them win business by ensuring their set-aside certifications, research, engagement strategy, registrations, and GSA Multiple Award Schedules are current, complete, and compliant.
