SDVOSB Certification: What It Means for Federal Contracting

Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) certification offers significant advantages in the federal marketplace. Understanding what this designation means can help government agencies and prime contractors make informed sourcing decisions.

What is SDVOSB Certification?

SDVOSB designation is awarded to small businesses that are at least 51% owned and controlled by one or more service-disabled veterans. The Service-Disabled Veteran (SDV) must have a service-connected disability rating from the Department of Veterans Affairs or the Department of Defense.

To obtain SDVOSB certification, businesses must apply through the VA's Center for Verification and Evaluation (CVE) or through approved third-party certifiers. The verification process ensures that businesses meet all eligibility requirements before receiving SDVOSB status.

Competitive Advantages for Government Agencies

Working with SDVOSBs offers several benefits for government agencies and taxpayers:

• Contracting Goals: Federal agencies have specific goals for SDVOSB contract awards, making SDVOSBs valuable partners for meeting socioeconomic objectives
• Set-Aside Opportunities: SDVOSBs can compete for sole-source and set-aside contracts reserved specifically for certified businesses
• Enhanced Competition: SDVOSB participation increases competition, often resulting in better value for government contracts
• Socioeconomic Impact: Contracting with SDVOSBs supports veteran entrepreneurship and economic stability for service-disabled veterans

Quality and Capability Considerations

While SDVOSB status provides contracting advantages, government agencies should ensure that certified businesses can deliver quality services that meet mission requirements. When evaluating SDVOSB contractors, agencies should consider:

• Technical capabilities and relevant experience
• Past performance on government contracts
• Financial stability and resource availability
• Certifications and quality management systems

Verifying SDVOSB Status

Before awarding contracts, contracting officers should verify SDVOSB status in the SBA's Dynamic Small Business Search database or the VA's Vendor Information Pages (VIP). Only businesses with current, verified status in these systems are eligible for SDVOSB contracting preferences.

LNM1968: Your SDVOSB Partner

LNM1968 is proud to hold both SDVOSB and DVBE (Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise) certifications. Our veteran-owned status reflects our commitment to excellence and service—values we bring to every contract we undertake.

Our team combines military discipline and operational experience with commercial drone technology expertise to deliver exceptional results for government clients.