Who Does Veteran Small Business Certifications

Veteran Small Business certification is mainly a function of the federal government (Veteran’s Administration).  There are many benefits to being recognized as a Veteran owned Small Business.  They include financial help and preferences in government contracting. 
 

What You Need To Know

Veteran Owned Small Business Verification Act is contained in the Veterans Benefits Act of 2010 which was signed into law by President Obama on October 13, 2010.  This law expands VA’s requirement to verify business status as owned and operated by Veterans, service-disabled Veterans or eligible surviving spouses.

NOTE: 

In order to do business with the VA as a Veteran Owned Small Business you must apply for certification with the VA (see link below).

Other federal agencies do not have special programs for Veteran Owned Small Businesses.  They only have programs for Service Disabled Veteran Owned Businesses.  In order to do business with other federal agencies as a Small Disabled Veteran Owned Business you have verify your veteran status and disability status with the following documentation.

1.  Veteran Status:  DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge)

2. Disability Status:  a letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), or your discharge paper from the branch of service you were in, stating that you have a service-connected disability rating ranging from 0% to 100% disability

Applying for Certification Status

Apply for Veteran Certification Status online if you are a Veteran Small Business Owner.

What Qualifies As A Veteran Owned Small Business
According to the VA the following qualifies a business as a Veteran Owned Small Business.

1. Veteran: A person who served on active duty with the U.S. Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines or Coast Guard, for any length of time and at any place and who was discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable. Reservists or members of the National Guard called to Federal active duty or disabled from a disease or injury incurred or aggravated in the line of duty or while in training status also qualify as a Veteran.
 

2. Veteran-owned Business: Not less than 51% of the firm is owned by one or more Veterans, or in the case of any publicly owned business, not less than 51% of the stock is owned by one or more Veterans; and the management and daily business operations are controlled by one or more Veterans.

 

3. Service-Disabled Veteran: A Veteran who possesses a disability rating letter issued by the Department of Veterans Affairs, establishing a service-connected rating between 0% and 100% or a disability determination from the Department of Defense.

 

4. Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Business: Not less than 51% of the firm is owned by one or more service-disabled Veterans, or in the case of any publicly owned business, not less than 51% of the stock is owned by one or more service-disabled Veterans; and the management and daily business operations are controlled by one or more service-disabled Veterans--or in the case of a Veteran with a permanent and severe disability, a spouse or permanent caregiver of such Veteran.
 

5. Small Business Concern: The firm must be small within the standards issued by the Small Business Administration for its industry code. [A link is provided that takes the Veteran to the SBA size standards publication.]

Who Can Register A Veteran Small Small Owned Business

Surviving spouses of 100 percent service-connected disabled Veterans, or a Veteran who died as direct result of his/her service-connected disability, may register the business as if they were a Veteran.

What Is The Frequency of Certification

Annually.  Companies will remain in the database while the renewal application is pending.  If renewal application is not submitted companies will be removed from the database.

How Long Does The Verification Process Take   

It takes 90 days for the certification/recertification to be completed.  The VA will notify you 6 months before the expiration date.  You must apply for re-certification within 90 days or you data will be removed from the VIP database.