If you are a service-disabled veteran that owns a small business, you may be eligible for the SDVOSB certification program. Participation in this program can make it easier to win government contracts, and there are several other benefits, as well. Let’s take a quick look at SDVOSB certification and how it can help your business.
What Is SDVOSB Certification?
SDVOSB stands for Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business. The SDVOSB certification is part of a program established by the US federal government to help service-disabled veteran business owners gain access to exclusive contracting opportunities.
This certification provides various benefits that can make it attractive for eligible businesses to apply. This program used to be handled by the Department of Veterans Affairs, but it is now consolidated within the Small Business Administration along with other small business programs. Here are some reasons why you might want to consider SDVOSB certification:
- Exclusive Contracting Opportunities
A significant portion of federal contracting dollars is set aside specifically for businesses that have SDVOSB certification. Federal agencies have a goal to award at least 3% of all federal contracting dollars to service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses and other types of small businesses. This translates to billions of dollars in potential contracts that are exclusively available to SDVOSB-certified businesses.
These special contracts are known as set-aside contracts, because they are set aside specifically for small businesses. Even if you don’t qualify as a SDVOSB, there are set asides for veteran-owned small businesses (VOSB), woman-owned small businesses (WOSB), HUBZone certifications, 8a certification and more. The team at Federal Contractor Registry can help determine which designations are the best fit for your business.
- Competitive Advantage
Being SDVOSB-certified provides a competitive advantage when seeking federal contracts. If your business competes for a contract against businesses that do not have SDVOSB certification, your certification might make a difference in winning the contract.
- Sole Source Contracts
In some cases, federal agencies can award sole source contracts to SDVOSB businesses. This means that the contract can be awarded without a competitive bidding process, which can be a significant advantage for SDVOSB-certified businesses.
- Public Image & Corporate Responsibility
Being recognized as a service-disabled veteran-owned business can enhance your company’s public image. Many consumers and businesses prefer to do business with companies that support veterans and being SDVOSB-certified is a clear way to demonstrate this support. It also can demonstrate a commitment to corporate responsibility.
- Access to Resources & Support
SDVOSB-certified businesses can also gain access to resources and support, including business training, counseling, and financial assistance, through the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) network of Veteran Business Outreach Centers (VBOCs).
To apply for SDVOSB certification, a business must be at least 51% owned and controlled by one or more service-disabled veterans. The certification process involves an evaluation of the business and its owners to verify eligibility.
The process of obtaining SDVOSB certification can be rigorous, but the potential benefits in terms of exclusive contracting opportunities, competitive advantages, and access to resources and support make it a worthwhile consideration for any service-disabled veteran-owned small business. While it can be tricky to get certified, the team at Federal Contractor Registry can help, and that’s not the only service we provide.
SDVOSB Certification & SAM Registration Assistance
If you wish to bid on any federal contractor jobs, you must register with the System for Award Management (SAM). This is the central database for all government contractors. Even if you’ve already received your SDVOSB certification, if you want to do business with the federal government, you still must complete SAM registration.