Federal Set-Aside Program
Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB)
A federal set-aside for small businesses owned and controlled by service-disabled veterans — government-wide and a priority at the VA.
Who qualifies
- At least 51% owned and controlled by one or more service-disabled veterans
- The service-disabled veteran has a VA- or DoD-documented service-connected disability
- The veteran controls day-to-day management and long-term decisions
- Small under the solicitation’s NAICS size standard
How to get certified
Certify through the SBA’s Veteran Small Business Certification (VetCert) program at veterans.certify.SBA.gov — as of 2023 this single certification covers both government-wide SDVOSB set-asides and the VA.
Key benefits
- Government-wide SDVOSB set-aside competition
- Sole-source awards up to $4.5M (services) / $7M (manufacturing)
- At the VA, the "Vets First" preference puts verified SDVOSBs at the top of the priority order
Sole-source authority
SDVOSB sole-source is available up to $4.5M (services/supplies) and $7M (manufacturing) when only one SDVOSB can perform at a fair price.
Common questions
Do I still verify through the VA (VIP/CVE)?
No — certification moved to the SBA’s VetCert program in January 2023. One SBA certification now covers both the VA and government-wide SDVOSB set-asides.
What’s the difference between SDVOSB and VOSB?
SDVOSB requires a service-connected disability and is recognized government-wide. VOSB (no disability requirement) is primarily a VA preference.
Related programs
Bidding a SDVOSB set-aside?
GovCon finds SDVOSB opportunities and drafts your proposal with AI — built for federal offerors. Free plan, no card required.
Start free →See all federal set-aside programs, the NAICS code guides, or the contracting glossary.