# Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Business (SDVOSB) Program

/ Published March 13, 2024

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## What is the Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Program?

 Under the **Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) Program**, DLA and other federal agencies reserve certain contracts exclusively for SDVOSBs. The federal government's goal is to award at least three percent of all federal contracting dollars to SDVOSBs. DoD prime contractors with small business subcontracting plans also have goals for subcontracts with SDVOSBs.

## What is a SDVOSB and Certification Requirements?

To qualify for the SDVOSB Program, your business must:
      - Be a small business.
      - Be at least 51% owned and controlled by one or more service-disabled veterans (i.e., eligible veterans must have a service-connected disability); and
      - Have one or more service-disabled veterans manage day-to-day operations and make long-term decisions.
      - For those veterans who are permanently and totally disabled and unable to manage the daily business operations of their business, their business may still qualify if their spouse or appointed, permanent caregiver is assisting in that management.

## Other Definitions

### Service-connected disability

**Service-connected disability** means a disability that was incurred or aggravated in line of duty in the active military, naval, or air service (38 U.S.C. 101(16)).

### Service-disabled veteran

**Service-disabled veteran** is a veteran that possesses either a valid disability rating letter issued by the Department of Veterans Affairs, establishing a service-connected rating between 0 and 100 percent, or a valid disability determination from the Department of Defense or is registered in the Beneficiary Identification and Records Locator Subsystem maintained by Department of Veterans Affairs' Veterans Benefits Administration as a service-disabled veteran. Reservists or members of the National Guard disabled from a disease or injury incurred or aggravated in line of duty or while in training status also qualify (13 CFR §125.11).

## Certification for the SDVOSB Program

Previously, SDVOSBs self-certified their status through 2023 to compete for set-aside contracts at most federal agencies. As of January 1, 2024, self-certified SDVOSBs must apply for SBA certification by January 1, 2024 to be able to compete for set-aside contracts with the federal government. 

SBA’s Veteran Small Business Certification (VetCert) program implements changes from the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (NDAA 2021) which transferred the certification function from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to SBA as of January 1, 2023. The transfer provides veterans with a central support point for their small business certification needs.

To establish an SBA account and apply for certification, visit the **Veteran Small Business Certification portal**.

## Where to Find Additional Information and Resources

Read more on SBA’s website -- **www.sba.gov/federal-contracting/contracting-assistance-programs**

You may also request free assistance from your local APEX Accelerators, formerly known as Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (PTAC), which can help you understand the rules and opportunities for the SDVOSB Program -- **www.apexaccelerators.us/#**