VOSB/SDVOSB (VETERAN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESS) CERTIFICATION
Thank you for your service! FAMR proudly offers support to set up your veteran-owned business for federal contract eligibility with VOSB (Veteran-Owned Small Business) or SDVOSB (Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business) certification status
LET’S MAKE SURE YOU’RE GETTING YOUR SHARE — STRENGTHEN YOUR BUSINESS WITH A FEDERAL CERTIFICATION TODAY
Our team of Veteran Certification Specialists is standing by to simplify your federal registration and certification processes and ensure your business is eligible for the opportunities it deserves.
VOSB Certification Requirements
To qualify and successfully register for VOSB status with the federal government, an organization must meet all the following criteria:
- Qualifies for Small Business Status and is not currently part of the VOSB Program
- 51% owned by veterans
- Veterans must manage day-to-day and long-term operations
- Business must have a Department of Defense Form 214
- If you believe your business qualifies for VOSB certification, you can begin your registration today to acquire federal contracting opportunities waiting for you.
SDVOSB Requirements
For businesses seeking SDVOSB status (Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business), your organization must also meet the following eligibility requirements in addition to those for VOSB status:
- 51% owned by service-disabled veterans
- Day-to-day management and long-term operations must be helmed by a service-disabled veteran
- In the case that the service-disabled veteran has a severe disability, the business can be managed by their spouse
Get in touch with our Certification Specialists to confirm your eligibility:
VOSB & SDVOSB Certification Benefits
In 2003, Congress passed the Veterans Benefits Act to jumpstart supplier networks across the nation. This gave small, veteran-owned businesses the room and support they need to thrive amongst the larger corporations in their industry.
In franker terms, certified VOSBs have access to exclusive contracting opportunities that are restricted from the rest of their competition.
For reference: Last year, the federal government put more than $630 billion into annual contract spending alone. 4.4% of that was legally reserved only for SDVOSBs, with 27.2% of the total budget available to small businesses like yours.
When you do the math, that translates to about $180 billion in contract work last year — and all you need to do to take part in these lucrative contracts is get your VOSB or SDVOSB certification. Other benefits of these certifications include:
- Source Law – Sole Source states the federal government must set aside a percentage of their contracts for certified small and veteran-owned businesses.
- Special Preference – VOSBs also receive preferential consideration when vying for open-bid contracts that are available to the rest of the Federal marketplace.
- Options – VOSBs are allowed to subcontract on any of the jobs awarded to them. That way a veteran’s small business size won’t cause them to miss out on larger prospects.
- Private Sector Opportunities – Becoming VOSB certified doesn’t just make organizations eligible for federal benefits, it also opens them to a range of exclusive contracting opportunities from the private sector.
We help hundreds of veteran-owned businesses gain VOSB or SDVOSB status each year
How Do I Register as a VOSB or SDVOSB?
To access VOSB contracts, businesses first need to endure a complex registration process with the federal government. Unfortunately, the difference between application approval and denial often comes down to the tiniest technical or clerical errors. The full certification process takes roughly 20 – 40 hours of administrative work, record organization, filling out forms, and more to complete, not including the follow-up work of renewals, supplying business updates, etc.
FAMR – We Make it Simple to Get VOSB-Certified
We’ll ask you to send over some general information to get started, and we’ll walk you through what to expect from your business’ certification process.
We’ll Handle the Rest from There
Our team is committed to the success of your company, and are experts at the exhausting art of filling out long-winded, complicated, federal forms. We’ll stay by your side throughout the lengthy process, keeping you informed with frequent updates along the way and communicating closely to ensure your business is found by the contractors you want to be discovered by most.
After all the I’s are dotted and the T’s are crossed, we’ll stick around to take care of your registration renewals and review your Federal account to ensure everything is accurate, compliant, and optimized for the contracts you apply for in the future.
Benefits of Partnering with FAMR vs. DIY
- Effortless Registration – Quicker, easier, and more accurate than manual registration. Once you provide your business info, we’ll take care of the rest.
- Teammates you can Trust – FAMR’s certification specialists are a passionate team that specializes in registering qualified businesses to work alongside the Federal Government. We’ve helped businesses of all kinds achieve certification status and are more than happy to walk you through every step of your VOSB or SDVOSB certification process and answer any questions you might have.
OR
GET EXPEDITED SERVICE BY CALLING
(855) 335-0215
DIY – VOSB Self Certification
Veterans who want to take the time to file for themselves by learning the ins and outs of the application process may DIY at SBA.gov. But keep in mind, the federal government requires a lot of information to certify your business, and it all needs to be submitted in the right way.
If registration is not completed perfectly the first time around, veterans might find themselves going through the entire lengthy process again under harsher guidelines. Even worse, if veterans do manage to get approved despite some accidental filing mistakes, those errors can go on to create payment problems and limit their ability to win future contracts.
Challenges of Self Certification
- Dozens of Registration Hours – Registering veteran and small business status with the federal government is an involving process that takes dedicated time, patience (lots of it), and close attention to detail.
- You’re on Your Own – The self-registration process can be completed by those who learn how to navigate its hurdles, but expect to spend hours completing and answering the required questions.
For those still intent on self-certifying, take a look at our guide to minimizing hurdles and potential issues through the VOSB process.
VOSB Frequently Asked Questions
Who handles VOSB and SDVOSB certifications?
VOSB certifications are handled through the VA’s Center for Verification and Evaluation (CVE) through the end of 2022. However, Small Business Administration (SBA) will be taking this over on January 1, 2023. No VOSBs or SDVOSBs that have been verified by the VA will lose their status at the time of this transfer, but once your certification is up for renewal, you’ll need to do this through SBA.
What does VOSB stand for?
VOSB stands for Veteran-Owned Small Business, while SDVOSB stands for Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business. These are both programs created to help companies in this category get funding and contracts from the federal government.
Is SDVOSB the same as VOSB?
While they serve similar purposes, SDVOSB certification has more restrictions (namely that it only accepts veterans who are service-disabled). SDVOSBs also tend to have more preferential treatment when it comes to competing on open-bid contract opportunities.
Can I use the veteran-owned business logo?
Only businesses that have been verified and approved for VOSB or SDVOSB certification by the CVE (or SBA) are legally allowed to use the trademark on your website or materials.