Obtaining a General Services Administration (GSA) Multiple Awards Schedule (MAS) can be a long, complicated process, especially when trying to familiarize yourself with a long list of acronyms. As consultants, it’s our job to breakdown these acronyms and help you have a better understanding of what they mean. So, what are SDVOSBs? Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Businesses are small businesses owned and controlled by service-disabled veterans.
Having an SDVOSB certified company can broaden your opportunities, since the government sets yearly monetary goals specifically for small businesses. If this socio-economic group pertains to your business, continue reading to learn how to qualify as an SDVOSB, how to register as an SDVOSB, and the advantages of becoming a certified SDVOSB.
How to Qualify as an SDVOSB
As mentioned previously, to qualify as an SDVOSB, your business must be at least 51% owned and controlled by one or more service-disabled veterans. To meet all requirements your company must:
- Be a small business according to SBA’s size standards
- Have one or more service-disabled veterans manage day-to-day operations who also 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.
- Eligible veterans must have a service-connected disability.
For a full list of eligibility requirements, see the final rule published in the Federal Register.
How to Register as an SDVOSB
Now that you’re aware of the qualifications, let’s dive into how to successfully register and certify your company as an SDVOSB. In past years, eligible SDVOSBs were able to complete a self-certification. However, this is no longer the case. SDVOSBs must complete the certification process through the Small Business Administration (SBA), specifically the Veteran Small Business Certification (VetCert) website.
Before beginning the process, you’ll want to ensure that your company is registered in SAM.gov, or that your registration is up to date. Having a System for Award Management (SAM) account is a necessary step for registering your company, as the SBA will pull your SAM record and ask you to confirm. Even if you are not seeking an SDVOSB, registering your business in SAM.gov should be one of the first steps you accomplish when pursuing a GSA schedule. Once this step is done, you can go to the VetCert page and begin registration, following the questionnaire. The SBA will walk you through all the necessary steps to complete the certification.
Advantages of an SDVOSB
We know being a small business contractor in the federal landscape can be tough, but the government provides a plethora of resources and initiatives devoted to helping your small business win government opportunities. The federal government aims to award at least 3% of all federal contracting dollars to SDVOSBs each year.
Joining the SDVOSB program makes your business eligible to compete for the set-aside and sole source contracts. Competing against a smaller pool of contractors means more opportunities available for you. Additionally, a SDVOSB certified company is appealing to agencies who need to meet small business goals along with releasing contracts that are meant for Veteran-Owned businesses. Aside from financial gain, being a certified SDVOSB enhances a business’s credibility and reputation in the marketplace.
Succeeding as a Small Business
Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business is one of many set-asides available for small businesses. If you meet the small business SBA size standards, you may want to consider if you qualify for any of the following set asides: 8(a) Business Development Program, Women-Owned Small Business Program, Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business, Veteran Owned Small Business, or Historically Underutilized Small Business Zones (HUBZones).
If you want to continue learning about the benefits of being a Veteran-Owned business, check out the following blogs:
- Exploring GSA Schedule Opportunities for Veteran-Owned Businesses
- SDVOSB Federal Contracting Landscape
- Government Contractor Programs for Veteran-Owned Small Businesses
If you need assistance understanding the resources and programs available to small businesses, we would be happy to help you. You can also subscribe to our blogs which are released three times a week covering relevant topics that could help you stay aware of current news, maintenance, and ways to increase your opportunities in the government sector.
