Verification Updates for Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSB/ VOSB)

The annual verification of procurement certifications is critical to making sure your company is operating on all cylinders when you compete for government contracts. Being certified as a Veteran-owned business and keeping that certification updated allows your company to access Veteran-specific benefits, including specific government contracts and the purchase of surplus government property. This verification process re-establishes eligibility by confirming that Veterans run VOSB and SDVOSB certified companies. Due to this, the updates to the verification process for Veteran-owned businesses is crucial for you to understand.

Effective January 1, 2023, all responsibility for verifying veteran-owned businesses will transfer from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to the Small Business Administration (SBA). To facilitate the transition to SBA, the VA has stopped accepting applications for verification or re-verification as of October 24, 2022. The department notified all Veterans impacted by the VA’s October 24th application deadline. SDVOSBs and VOSBs holding VA verification as of January 1, 2023, will retain the same eligibility period initially designated by the VA. Generally, the VA verification is valid for three years from the firm’s verification letter date. Verified SDVOSBs and VOSBs should take no action until after the January 1, 2023 transfer date, and then submit an application to SBA prior to the end of their expiration period discussed above.

A VA-verified SDVOSB whose eligibility lapses prior to January 1, 2023 transfer date will remain expired and will revert to its self-certified SDVOSB status as registered in the System for Award Management (SAM). Self-certified SDVOSBs may continue to participate in the SBA program for contracts at agencies other than VA, based on a grace period provided by law. Once the SBA Verification process is in place, self-certified SDVOSBs will need to apply for verification as soon as possible. Self-certification will end one year after the transfer date of the verification program. Because verified DVOSB/VOSB status is required for VA contracts, self-certified DVOSB/VOSBs will be unable to qualify for VA set-asides and sole source contracts.

If you have questions about the transition or eligibility, please call the VA Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization at 866-584-2344. For more information on contracting opportunities and certification requirements for Veteran Owned Businesses, please register for Veterans Small Business Week training opportunities, 31 Oct – 4 Nov 2022.

If you are looking for help with government contracting or want no-cost help to find contracting opportunities, please contact your Norcal PTAC counselor for assistance or apply for services today!

If you have more questions, please contact us at info@norcalptac.org or (707) 267 – 7561