Veteran-Owned Business Certification: SDVOSB, VOSB, DVBE

Veteran owners can certify with the SBA for federal contracts and with California DGS as a Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise for state contracts.

Veteran-owned business certification rewards the service of business owners who wore the uniform: SBA VetCert opens federal set-asides, and California’s Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) program carries a 3% state participation goal.

Veteran-owned business certification has a federal track and a California track, and many owners qualify for both.

Federal: SBA VetCert (VOSB and SDVOSB)

The SBA’s Veteran Small Business Certification program (VetCert) certifies veteran-owned (VOSB) and service-disabled veteran-owned (SDVOSB) small businesses.
The business must be small under SBA size standards and at least 51% owned and controlled by veterans (by service-disabled veterans for SDVOSB).
The federal government aims to award 5% of contracting dollars to SDVOSBs (SBA).
VOSB and SDVOSB certification makes a business eligible for set-aside and sole-source contracts at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

California: Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE)

California has a 3% DVBE participation goal for state contracting.
The state may offer up to a 5% incentive to DVBEs in formal bids.
Apply with DGS through Cal eProcure, the same application used for small business certification.
The Supplier Clearinghouse also certifies disabled veteran-owned businesses for California utility contracts, at no cost.

Key takeaways

SBA VetCert covers VOSB and SDVOSB for federal contracts; SDVOSBs have a 5% federal goal.
California’s DVBE program has a 3% goal and up to a 5% bid incentive.
Many owners should hold both certifications.