From Combat to Commerce: How Veterans Are Dominating Small Business Success
The Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) certification is a designation provided by the U.S. federal government to businesses that are majority-owned and controlled by service-disabled veterans. This program is a part of the government’s efforts to promote and support veteran entrepreneurship and to provide opportunities for service-disabled veterans to participate in federal contracting.
Qualification
To qualify for SDVOSB certification, a business must meet certain criteria:
• Ownership: The business must be at least 51% owned by one of more service-disabled veterans.
• Control: Service-disabled veterans must also control the management and daily operations of the business. This means they are responsible for making important decisions and setting the strategic direction of the company.
• Disability: The owner or owners of the business must have a service-connected disability that has been determined by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
Certification Benefits
The benefits of SDVOSB certification include:
- Set-Asides: Government contracts are sometimes set aside specifically for SDVOSBs, giving these businesses a competitive advantage in the bidding process.
- Sole Source Contracts: In certain cases, government agencies can award contracts to SDVOSBs without a competitive bidding process, simplifying the procurement process.
- Contracting Goals: The federal government has goals for the percentage of contracts awarded to SDVOSBs, which can lead to increased opportunities for certified businesses.
- Access to Resources: SDVOSBs often have access to training, counseling, and other resources aimed at helping them succeed in the federal contracting arena.
It’s important to note that the certification process can vary depending on the government agency or organization involved. Typically, businesses seeking SDVOSB certification need to submit documentation proving their ownership, control, and service-connected disability status. This can include paperwork from the VA, corporate documents, and other relevant information.The business must meet certain other requirements as well, including having been in operation for at least one year and having gross receipts of at least $1 million.
