Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB) certification verifies that a small business is at least 51% owned and controlled by veterans. While there is no federal-wide VOSB goal, the VA prioritizes verified VOSBs for its contracts.
VOSB requires veteran ownership regardless of disability status. SDVOSB requires ownership by veterans with service-connected disabilities. SDVOSB has a 3% federal contracting goal, while VOSB primarily provides advantages for VA contracts.
Apply through the SBA's VetCert program at Veterans.certify.sba.gov. Documentation includes proof of veteran status (DD-214), ownership documents, and evidence of daily management control by veteran owners.
The VA's Veterans First program gives priority to verified SDVOSBs and VOSBs for VA contracts. Set-asides are applied in order: SDVOSB first, then VOSB, before opening to other small businesses or full and open competition.