Prepare your veteran-owned business
Start with your ownership records and the services your business provides. Then follow the registration and certification steps below. SDVOSB means service-disabled veteran-owned small business; VOSB means veteran-owned small business. Certification does not promise a contract.
Start with registration
Everything below is free — never pay a third party to "register" you. Certification and contract decisions rest with SBA, VA, and the buying agencies.
Free, at sam.gov. You'll get a Unique Entity ID (UEI) and a CAGE code is assigned during the process. You need an EIN and bank details; plan on 2–4 weeks for activation and renew every 365 days. No SAM registration = no federal contract, period. Watch for scam emails offering paid "SAM renewal" — SAM never charges.
Free, through SBA at veterans.certify.sba.gov. SDVOSB requires 51%+ ownership and day-to-day control by a veteran with a service-connected rating (any percentage — 0% counts). Have your DD214, VA rating letter, operating agreement, and ownership docs ready. Certification lasts 3 years; self-certification no longer counts for federal set-asides.
The government must aim 5% of all contract dollars at SDVOSBs. That means set-aside competitions limited to certified firms, sole-source awards up to $5M ($8.5M manufacturing) where an officer can hand you the contract directly, and at VA specifically, the Vets First rule: VA must consider SDVOSBs before any other business type.
Show your services, documented results, business identifiers and contact details in one page. Relevant commercial work counts; personal experience belongs under qualifications, not company past performance.
Create my capability statementAPEX Accelerators (free one-on-one government-contracting counseling in every state), SBA's Veterans Business Outreach Centers for business plans and training, and your state's procurement office for state-level veteran preferences and vendor registration.
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Listings come from SAM.gov and may change. VetOps does not guarantee eligibility or awards; always confirm on SAM.gov.
Search SAM.gov directlyFree business tool
A one-page business summary for government buyers. Use real services, qualifications and completed company work. Leave registrations or certifications empty if you do not hold them.
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VetOps is not VA, a VSO, or a government agency. This tool does not certify your business or guarantee a contract. Privacy
Get certified
Since December 22, 2024, self-certification no longer counts toward federal set-aside goals. SBA VetCert certification is mandatory, free, and currently averages about 12 days to process. State certifications are separate and vary by state.
Stuck? SBA VetCert help line: 1-800-862-8088 (Mon–Fri, 8–6 ET) or vetcert@sba.gov.
VetOps helps you prepare and organize. Certification decisions belong to SBA and your state.
Next action
Keep ownership records, registration confirmations, renewal dates, and your one-page business summary together. Check which registration the application asks for before submitting it. VetOps is not a government agency and does not guarantee certification or contract awards.
