Washington DC, January 9, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Today, US Small Business Administration (SBA) started accepting applications via Veteran Small Business Certification (VetCert) program as part of the Biden-Harris administration’s commitment to expanding access to resources for veterans and other underserved populations. Improvements in the user experience for veteran entrepreneurs and business owners made by VetCert will build on $25 billion in veteran-owned small business (SDVOSB) government contract spending in FY 2021.
“SBA’s new Veteran Small Business Certification Program was designed with our commitment to providing exceptional support to our skilled entrepreneurs in the U.S. military community,” he said Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman. “Supporting these veteran entrepreneurs with access to government contracting will ensure they continue their valued service to the American people, whether working in manufacturing, retail, research and development, or helping us build critically needed infrastructure to promote America’s long-term growth, job creation, and wealth.” “Veteran-owned small businesses are eligible for key benefits and well-deserved support because of their owners’ selfless service to our nation,” he said Denis McDonough, Minister of Veterans Affairs. “Certification is a key part of that process, and I encourage all eligible veterans to submit their verification requests to the Small Business Administration starting today.”
The transfer of responsibility for certifying veterans from the Veterans Administration (VA) to the SBA aligns with the Biden administration’s focus on stronger interagency cooperation. The two agencies work closely together to accomplish a complex task that benefits not only the veteran community but the entire nation.
“When federal agencies work together toward a common goal, great things can be accomplished,” he said Larry Stubblefield, Deputy Associate Administrator of the SBA’s Office of Government Contracting and Business Development. “The collaboration between SBA and VA means that veterans, who have faithfully served our country, will be well served in their entrepreneurial journey, and veteran business owners will have additional opportunities in the federal marketplace.”
The program will be the Agency’s primary certification vehicle for all Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (VOSBs) and SDVOSBs, important classifications that allow these businesses to qualify for single-source and segregated federal contract awards. Authorized VOSBs are eligible to compete for sole source and separate contracts in the Department of Veterans Affairs, while certified SDVOSBs may compete for sole source and separate contracts governmentwide. The agency began accepting applications on January 9, 2023. As the SBA moves forward to provide more veteran entrepreneurs with access to economic opportunities, Administrator Guzman granted a one-time, one-year extension to current veteran small businesses it certified Administration for veterans Center for Verification and Evaluation (CVE) from January 1, 2023.
SBA is implementing several improvements to streamline the certification experience for veteran entrepreneurs. That includes:
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Providing veterans with a central support platform for their small business certification needs.
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Providing reciprocal certification for companies with remaining criteria for Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) and 8(a) programs.
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Creating a more business-friendly approach by streamlining the application process and aligning ownership and control requirements in the VetCert, 8(a) and WOSB programs.
All changes to the certification process, along with new eligibility requirements, can be viewed at: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/11/29/2022-25508/veteran-owned-small-business-and-service-disabled-veteran-owned-small-business-certification
Background Veteran Small Business Certification Program
To be eligible to apply for the Veteran Small Business Certification Program, an applicant must:
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To be considered a small business, as defined size standard which matches any NAICS code listed in the company’s SAM profile.
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Have at least 51% of the business owned and controlled by one or more veterans.
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For SDVOSB certification, at least 51% of the business must be owned and controlled by one or more veterans who have been assessed as having a disability by the VA.
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For those veterans who are permanently and totally disabled and unable to manage the day-to-day business operations of their company, their company may still qualify if their spouse or designated permanent guardian assists in that management.
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Eligible new applicants certified by the SBA after January 1, 2023 will receive a standard three-year certification period.
Starting January 1, 2023, businesses verified by the VA Center for Verification and Evaluation (CVE) are automatically certified by SBA for the remainder of the company’s eligibility period. SBA has approved a one-time, one-year extension of certification for current VOSBs and SDVOSBs. This additional year will be added to the current participant’s existing eligibility period.
The National Defense Authorization Act of 2021 provides a one-year grace period for self-certified SDVOSBs until January 1, 2024. During the grace period, companies have one year to apply for certification to the SBA. Self-certified SDVOSBs that apply before January 1, 2024 will be eligible until SBA makes a final decision on eligibility.
Beginning January 1, 2024, both veterans and disabled veterans small business owners will be required to obtain certification in order to compete for Federal Reserve contracting, unless a self-certified business application is pending a decision by the SBA.
For the latest information on the Veteran Small Business Certification program, visit www.sba.gov/vetcertprogram reference FAQor by e-mail [email protected].
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About the US Small Business Administration
The US Small Business Administration helps make the American dream of business ownership a reality. As the single source and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow or expand their business or recover from a declared disaster. It provides services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, please visit www.sba.gov.
CONTACT: Press Offce United States Small Business Administration [email protected]
