SDVOSB & DVBE Programs

Program Details

SDVOSB: Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business – This is a term used by the Federal Government to designate a company that is owned (at least 51%) and controlled by a Veteran with a Service-Connected Disability rating from the Department of Veterans Affairs. The business also must qualify under the SBA’s Small Business Standards for their particular industry. For more information on SDVOSB Certification, see below.

DVBE: Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise – This term is used by the State of California, public utilities, and many private corporations to designate a company that is owned (at least 51%) and controlled by a Veteran with a Service-Connected Disability rating of at least 10% from the Department of Veterans Affairs. Additionally, the Veteran must reside in the state of California.

If the definitions of SDVOSB and DVBE above sound very similar, that’s because they are. However, there are some very key differences in the requirements:

• SDVOSB requires a VA Disability Rating of 0%, while DVBE requires a VA Disability Rating of 10%.
• DVBE requires the Veteran to live in the State of California.
• SDVOSB requires the business to meet the Federal Small Business Requirements for their industry (example: Commercial Building Construction revenues are less than $36.5 million averaged over the past 3 years).

SDVOB/DVBE Certification Information

“Certification” is a term that gets used frequently in the small business world, but is often misunderstood. Our goal surrounding Certification is two-fold:

1. Help you determine if certification is right for your business. While we generally recommend getting certified, ultimately, it may not be necessary for your business needs.
2. Help you find your way through the certification process. Certifications range from “self-certification” where you check a few boxes, all the way to full-blown audits of your business filings and financial information.

Is Certification right for your business? Depending on the customers you are trying to reach and the products/services you provide, certification may or may not be right for you. A good place to start is to ask yourself these questions:

• Do large corporations or government agencies purchase my goods or services?
• Does my company have the necessary insurance, bonding and administrative capabilities to perform work for the government or large corporations?

If you answered “YES” to these questions, getting certified will likely open up new opportunities for your business.

Finding your way through the Certification Process: If you plan on doing business with the Federal Government, being certified as an SDVOSB can open many set-aside contract opportunities for your business. The Federal SDVOSB certification comes in two parts:

1. Self-Certification via SAM (System for Award Management): If you are a Service-Disabled Veteran who owns at least 51% of your company and controls day-to-day operations, you can self-certify online by selecting the correct Representations and Certifications in your profile at SAM.gov. It’s that easy.
2. CVE Verification via the Department of Veterans Affairs: This certification, also known as “Verification” requires the business owner to submit many business and personal documents including tax returns (3 years), Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws, Meeting Minutes, and various other documents in order to verify that the Service Disabled Veteran actually “owns and controls” the business. If you want to do business with the VA or take advantage of the “Veterans First” legislation, you will need to complete this process. For more information please visit the VA’s information page or contact us for more information.
3. DVBE Certification: If you and your business are located within the State of California and you have at least a 10% Disability Rating, you may qualify for the Department of General Service’s Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) program. This is a valuable certification if you are looking to do business with State Agencies or Public Utilities. For more information visit: https://caleprocure.ca.gov/pages/sbdvbe-index.aspx
4. New York State SDVOB Certification: The Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Business Act, signed into law by Governor Andrew M. Cuomo on May 12, 2014, allows eligible Veteran business owners to get certified as a New York State Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Business (SDVOB). The 6% goal encourages and supports eligible SDVOBs to play a greater role in the state’s economy by increasing their participation in New York State’s contracting opportunities. This program is open to all SDVOB’s nationwide. For more information visit: https://ogs.ny.gov/veterans/

Agencies Ready to Assist You

SBA (Small Business Administration)
The Veterans Business Outreach Program (VBOP) is designed to provide entrepreneurial development services such as business training, counseling and mentoring, and referrals for eligible veterans owning or considering starting a small business. https://www.sba.gov/tools/local-assistance/vboc

PTAC (Procurement Technical Assistance Centers)
PTACs are the bridge between buyer and supplier, bringing to bear their knowledge of both government contracting and the capabilities of contractors to maximize fast, reliable service to our government with better quality.  

http://www.aptac-us.org/

Starting A Business (by way of BestAccountingSoftware.com)
An exhaustive list of business resources for any veteran exploring a startup or growing their business.  https://bestaccountingsoftware.com/veterans-guide-starting-business/

SCORE -Veteran Fast Launch Initiative
Every year, over 180,000 dedicated men and women exit our nation’s armed services after their loyal service to our nation. For over 45 years, SCORE has been a leader in providing mentoring and training to entrepreneurs through its network of 13,000 volunteer mentors and trainers. SCORE stands ready to answer the call of helping our veterans to transition into life as entrepreneurs. https://www.score.org/content/veteran-fast-launch-initiative
https://www.score.org/find-location
1-800-634-0245

SBDC (Small Business Development Center )
America’s SBDC supports a well-established, respected, adequately funded and capable SBDC network, recognized by public and private sector entities as the preeminent provider of small/medium business counseling, education and information. The SBDC network provides uniform, high quality, cost effective assistance through its members, resulting in a positive long-term economic impact. http://americassbdc.org/home/find-your-sbdc/

VBOC (Veteran’s Business Outreach Center)
VBOC’s mission is to advance the growth and commercial competitiveness of veteran owned small business enterprises through education and services focusing on business development, technology deployment and e-commerce. http://www.vbocix.org/about1

DGS (Department of General Services-California)
The Outreach section is committed to expanding statewide outreach for Disabled Veteran Business Enterprises and small businesses through education and business opportunity enhancements.  http://www.dgs.ca.gov/pd/Programs/OSDS/CommunicationsOutreach.aspx
Procurement Division, Attn: Outreach Section
707 3rd Street, 2nd Floor, MS 2-204, West Sacramento, CA 95605
916-375-4400 • Advocate@dgs.ca.gov

CalVet (California Department of Veterans Affairs)
https://www.calvet.ca.gov/contact
Physical Address: 1227 O Street, Sacramento, CA 95814
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 942895, Sacramento, CA 94295
800-952-5626 • TDD: 800-324-5966 • Outside California: 800-221-8998

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
The VA has special authority for Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business and Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB and VOSB) set-aside and sole source contracts.  http://www.va.gov/osdbu/verification/index.asp. The VA has an 8% goal with SDVOSBs/DVBEs. Make sure to register your business today at https://www.vip.vetbiz.va.gov/

San Diego Unified seeks disabled- and service-disabled veteran-owned businesses in the construction industry. This includes contractors and subcontractors of all trades and licenses, and construction materials suppliers, manufacturers and equipment providers. There are also sporadic opportunities for consultants such as architects, engineers and project/construction management services. Click on the logo to view a current list of bids and solicitations. For additional information, contact Alma Bañuelos at abanuelos@sandi.net.

New York State has amazing opportunities for all Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Businesses (SDVOB) nationwide! The Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Business Act, signed into law by Governor Andrew M. Cuomo on May 12, 2014, allows eligible Veteran business owners to get certified as a New York State SDVOB. The 6% goal encourages and supports eligible SDVOBs to play a greater role in the state’s economy by increasing their participation in New York State’s contracting opportunities. For more information visit: https://ogs.ny.gov/veterans/

Learn about the services and benefits to help all Veterans in California
CalVet Website »
CalVet Resource Book (PDF) »

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