SDVOSB (Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business)
SDVOSB is a federal small business designation for businesses at least 51% owned and controlled by one or more service-disabled veterans. Certification is administered by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) under FAR Subpart 19.14 and qualifies the business for federal set-aside contracts. As of December 2024, all SDVOSB certifications are issued by SBA's VetCert (replaced VA's CVE).
Also called: SDVOSB certification, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business · Last updated: May 27, 2026 · By Joseph W. Anady
Why it matters.
SDVOSB certification opens the door to federal contracting set-asides specifically reserved for service-disabled veteran-owned businesses. The federal government has a 5% governmentwide SDVOSB contracting goal, with SDVOSB awards totaling approximately $28.6 billion in FY2025 across 52,000 contract actions. For qualifying veteran-owned businesses, SDVOSB is one of the highest-value certifications available — single contracts can range from $25K to $500K+ depending on agency need.
How it works.
SDVOSB certification requires SBA review of veteran ownership (51%+ by service-disabled veteran), control (veteran must control day-to-day operations + long-term decisions), and the disability rating (VA service-connected disability rating required). Process: register on SAM.gov, complete VetCert application at veterans.certify.sba.gov, submit supporting documents (DD214, VA disability letter, ownership/control documentation). Typical processing time: 12 days as of late 2025 (down from 60-90 days pre-Dec 2024).
2026 reality check.
The federal SDVOSB program transitioned from VA-administered (CVE) to SBA-administered (VetCert) in December 2024. The backlog cleared by late 2025; certifications now process in ~12 days. Annual SDVOSB awards reached $28.6 billion across 52,000 contract actions in FY2025 — the most ever. The 5% federal contracting goal is consistently met or exceeded, with several agencies (DoD, VA, DHS, GSA) exceeding their individual SDVOSB targets.
Data points
- SBA VetCert administered since December 2024 (replaced VA CVE)
- Typical processing: ~12 days as of late 2025 (vs 60-90 days previously)
- FY2025 SDVOSB contract awards: ~$28.6B across 52,000 contract actions
- Federal governmentwide SDVOSB goal: 5% of contracting dollars
- TDG's SAM.gov UEI: FFG3A4SK9HY6 (Joseph W. Anady, 100% service-disabled)
First-hand insight from ThatDeveloperGuy.
ThatDeveloperGuy is SDVOSB-certified with SAM.gov UEI FFG3A4SK9HY6. Joseph W. Anady is the 100% service-disabled veteran owner. Primary NAICS codes: 541511 (Custom Computer Programming Services), 541512 (Computer Systems Design Services), 541519 (Other Computer Related Services), 518210 (Computing Infrastructure). The SDVOSB certification has been the foundation of TDG's federal contracting eligibility since 2024.
How TDG approaches it
TDG maintains active SDVOSB certification via VetCert, annual SAM.gov re-registration, complete capability statements aligned with NAICS 541511/541512/541519/518210, and direct subcontracting relationships with several SDVOSB primes on T4NG2 and OASIS+ vehicles. The SDVOSB credential is wired into Organization schema as hasCredential and into Person schema via Joseph's identifier array (SAM.gov UEI as PropertyValue).
Common mistakes.
- Confusing SDVOSB (51% service-disabled veteran ownership) with VOSB (51% veteran ownership, not disability-related)
- Letting SAM.gov registration expire (must be active for SDVOSB to be valid)
- Failing to maintain 51% ownership AND control (both required)
- Not annually re-attesting SDVOSB status in VetCert
- Assuming SDVOSB applies to state contracts (typically federal only; some states have separate veteran programs)
FAQ.
What's the difference between SDVOSB and VOSB?
SDVOSB requires 51% ownership by a service-disabled veteran. VOSB requires 51% ownership by a veteran (no disability requirement). SDVOSB is the more restrictive (and more valuable) certification for federal contracting purposes.
How do I get SDVOSB certified?
Apply at veterans.certify.sba.gov (VetCert). Required: SAM.gov registration, DD214, VA service-connected disability letter, ownership and control documentation. Typical processing: 12 days as of late 2025.
How long does SDVOSB certification last?
Three years initial certification. Annual attestation required during the three-year period. Renewal required at the end of each three-year cycle.
Can I sub-contract on SDVOSB set-asides without being SDVOSB myself?
Yes — non-SDVOSB firms can sub to SDVOSB primes on SDVOSB set-aside contracts. The SDVOSB prime must perform a certain percentage of the work (varies by contract type).
What's the SBA Mentor-Protégé Program for SDVOSB?
SDVOSB protégés can JV with a larger mentor firm to bid SDVOSB set-aside contracts. The SDVOSB protégé must perform >=40% of the JV's work (13 CFR 128). The mentor brings past performance, bonding capacity, and CO relationships.
Maintained by Joseph W. Anady at ThatDeveloperGuy. Back to glossary · Suggest a term