Certification Basics - How to Become a Veteran-Owned Small Business or Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business
If you are a veteran or a service-disabled veteran who owns a small business, you may be interested in learning about the benefits of becoming certified as a Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB) or a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) by the Small Business Administration (SBA). Certification can help you access federal contracting opportunities that are set aside or sole sourced for VOSBs or SDVOSBs.
In this blog post, we will summarize the main requirements and procedures for obtaining certification under Subpart C of the SBA's regulations on the VOSB and SDVOSB Program.
To be eligible for certification, you must meet the following criteria:
- Your business must be a small business as defined by the SBA under the size standard corresponding to any NAICS code listed in your SAM profile.
- Your business must be at least 51% owned and controlled by one or more veterans or service-disabled veterans, or, in some cases, by the spouse or permanent caregiver of a veteran with a permanent and total disability.
- Your business must not have any active exclusions in SAM, such as debarment or suspension from federal contracting, or failure to pay significant financial obligations owed to the federal government.
To apply for certification, you must submit an online application through the SBA's certify.sba.gov portal, along with supporting documents and information that demonstrate your eligibility. The SBA will review your application and is supposed to decide within 90 days of receiving a complete application. However, please note that the SBA often runs well beyond that in making a decision.
If you are approved, you will be added to the SBA's database of certified VOSBs or SDVOSBs, which federal contracting officers can use to verify your status. You will also be required to update your SAM profile and certify.sba.gov account annually to maintain your certification.
If you are denied, you can request reconsideration by the SBA's Office of Hearings and Appeals within 30 days of receiving the denial notice. While hiring an attorney to assist with that process is not required, it may be beneficial. You can also reapply for certification after six months from the date of denial if you have corrected the issues that caused the denial.
Certification as a VOSB or SDVOSB can give you a competitive edge in the federal marketplace and help you grow your business. If you meet the eligibility requirements and have the necessary documentation, you should apply for certification through the SBA's website and take advantage of this valuable opportunity.
If your company needs assistance with VOSB or SDVOSB certification or appeals, please contact Danielle Dietrich, Esq. at ddietrich@potomaclaw.com or 412-449-9141.
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