A Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Business brings more to the table than a certification. For organizations evaluating suppliers, staffing partners and contractors, veteran-owned businesses can offer proven capabilities while also supporting broader procurement and supplier goals. In federal contracting, the designation carries particular significance. The U.S. Small Business Administration maintains a dedicated program for qualifying Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses, commonly known as SDVOSBs. But the value of working with veteran-owned companies can extend beyond government contracting.
For procurement teams and organizations looking to build strong supplier relationships, understanding what the designation means is an important place to start.
What Is a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Business?
For federal contracting purposes, the SBA’s Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business program has specific eligibility requirements. Among them, at least 51% of the business must be owned and controlled by one or more veterans who are rated as service-disabled by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Qualifying companies seeking federal SDVOSB contracting opportunities must be certified through the SBA’s Veteran Small Business Certification, or VetCert, program.
This certification gives eligible businesses the opportunity to compete for certain federal set-aside and sole-source contracts.
Why the Designation Matters in Federal Contracting
The federal government has established goals designed to increase opportunities for small businesses, including businesses owned by service-disabled veterans. Currently, the government-wide goal is to award at least 5% of federal prime and subcontract dollars to Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses.
That represents a significant opportunity. In fiscal year 2025, SDVOSBs received $32.5 billion in federal prime contracts, according to the SBA. For procurement professionals and contracting officers, working with qualified SDVOSBs can therefore contribute to agency small-business contracting objectives while providing access to capable suppliers across a range of industries.
More Than Meeting a Procurement Goal
Certification can open doors, but a designation alone does not make a successful supplier relationship. Organizations still need partners capable of delivering the quality, expertise, responsiveness and performance required for the work.
That’s an important distinction. The strongest supplier strategies look at both qualifications and capabilities. When an organization identifies a qualified Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Business that can meet its operational needs, the relationship can support procurement objectives without compromising performance.
In other words, the certification can be an advantage, but capability should remain at the center of the partnership.
The Value of Veteran-Owned Business Partnerships
Veteran entrepreneurship brings a valuable perspective to the business community. Military service can develop skills that translate well into business environments, including adaptability, accountability, problem-solving, teamwork and the ability to perform in complex situations. Every veteran-owned company is different, of course. Certification should never be treated as a substitute for evaluating experience, expertise and performance. Instead, organizations can view veteran-owned suppliers as another important source of qualified competition when building their supplier networks.
Building a Stronger Supplier Network
Supplier strategy is ultimately about having access to organizations that can deliver when they’re needed. For procurement leaders, that can mean evaluating suppliers based on factors such as:
- Relevant industry experience
- Ability to scale
- Quality and performance
- Responsiveness
- Specialized expertise
- Compliance capabilities
- Certification status
- Long-term partnership potential
Including qualified SDVOSBs in sourcing and procurement strategies can expand the supplier pool while creating additional opportunities for veteran entrepreneurs.
What Certification Means for Government Buyers
For federal agencies, SDVOSB certification has an additional practical benefit. SBA-certified SDVOSBs can compete for federal contracting opportunities specifically reserved for the program, including qualifying set-aside and sole-source contracts. The Federal Acquisition Regulation also establishes the framework for the SDVOSB procurement program across federal agencies. That makes certification an important consideration for government buyers conducting market research and identifying qualified small-business contractors.
Amerit’s Commitment to Service
At Amerit Consulting, being a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Business is part of who we are, but it is only one part of what we bring to our clients. We believe successful partnerships are built through performance, accountability and an understanding of what organizations need from their workforce partners. Amerit supports organizations with staffing and workforce solutions across technology, engineering, healthcare, administrative and other specialized functions. Our veteran-owned status represents an important part of our story. Our ability to help clients solve workforce challenges is what turns that story into a partnership.
As government agencies and commercial organizations continue evaluating their supplier strategies, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Businesses have an opportunity to play an important role. The goal should not simply be to check a box. It should be to create meaningful partnerships with qualified businesses that can deliver results while expanding opportunities for veteran entrepreneurs. For organizations looking for a workforce partner that combines staffing expertise with the perspective of a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Business, Amerit Consulting is ready to help.