Veteran-Owned Small Business
A small-business program for firms 51% or more owned by veterans (without the service-disabled requirement of SDVOSB). The VA's Vets First program prioritizes VOSB firms on VA contracts.
Who qualifies
Small businesses that are at least 51% owned and controlled by one or more veterans. The veteran(s) must control daily operations. The firm must meet SBA size standards in its primary NAICS. Veterans without service-connected disabilities qualify as VOSB but not SDVOSB.
How to certify
Certification through SBA at certify.SBA.gov as of 2023. Previously administered by VA CVE for VA contracts. Provides documentation of veteran status, ownership, and operational control.
What it gets you
Eligibility for VA-administered VOSB set-aside contracts under the Vets First Contracting Program (VA contracts may be restricted to VOSB or SDVOSB firms before being competed open). Counts toward agency small-business contracting goals. Not eligible for the federal-government-wide SDVOSB set-asides — those require service-disabled status.