Find every SDVOSB set-aside on SAM.gov, VA Vets First, and DoD forecasts in one search.
Eligibility — are you SDVOSBs?
Sourced from the official program page
- Owned and controlled at least 51% by one or more service-disabled veterans
- Service-disabled veteran(s) must manage day-to-day operations and long-term strategic decisions
- Service-disabled veteran(s) must hold highest officer position
- Small business under SBA size standards for primary NAICS code
- Must be certified through the SBA Veteran Small Business Certification (VetCert) program (as of 2023)
- For VA Vets First contracts: must also be verified in the VA SDVOSB database
Contracting advantages for SDVOSBs
Why SDVOSBs have a structural edge on federal opportunities.
- SDVOSB set-aside contracts — only SDVOSBs can compete
- Sole-source authority up to $7M (manufacturing) or $4.5M (services)
- VA Vets First Contracting Program priority — VA must consider SDVOSBs first
- Federal government has a 3% SDVOSB contracting goal — under-shot most years
- Eligible for joint ventures and mentor-protégé arrangements
- Subcontracting credit incentives for primes that subcontract to SDVOSBs
Where SDVOSBs typically compete
Typical contract value: $100K – $7M per award
Top NAICS codes
Top contracting agencies
- Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
- Department of Defense (DOD)
- Department of the Army
- Department of the Navy
- Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
- GSA Federal Acquisition Service
Challenges SDVOSBs face
The friction points we hear most from SDVOSBs doing federal work.
- VA Vets First and SBA SDVOSB programs have overlapping but distinct verification requirements
- Filtering SDVOSB-set-aside opportunities out of the wider small business pool
- Demonstrating "control" of day-to-day operations to defend bid protests
- Tracking the VA Forecast of Contracting Opportunities (FCO) alongside SAM.gov
How WinAContract helps SDVOSBs
What we built specifically for the SDVOSB workflow.
- Combined SAM.gov + VA Vets First search filtered to SDVOSB set-asides — one query covers both
- AI drafts proposal sections aligned with the agency-specific evaluation criteria
- Pipeline view tracks every active SDVOSB pursuit from sources sought through award
- Past-performance library AI-surfaces relevant veteran-owned references for each bid
Frequently asked
Do I have to be SBA VetCert certified to bid on SDVOSB set-asides?
Yes. Since January 2023, all SDVOSB set-aside contracts (including VA Vets First) require SBA VetCert certification. The legacy self-certification pathway closed.
How long does SBA VetCert certification take?
Initial review is 60-90 days from a complete application. The most common rejection cause is unclear ownership documentation — front-load operating agreements and stock ledgers.
Does the VA give SDVOSBs preference over other set-asides?
Yes. The VA "Vets First Contracting Program" requires the VA to consider SDVOSBs (and then VOSBs) before any other set-aside category. This is unique to the VA.
Can a non-veteran be involved in an SDVOSB?
Yes — but the service-disabled veteran(s) must own 51%+, control daily operations, and hold the highest officer position. Non-veteran investors can hold up to 49%.
Join the SDVOSBs waitlist
Free pre-launch access notification — no card required. We'll let you know the moment SDVOSB-specific features ship.