Kansas has a large veteran population and several active federal buyers. If you own a service-disabled veteran-owned business here, SDVOSB certification is one of the most direct paths to federal contract dollars. Here is what you need to know.
What SDVOSB certification is
Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) is a federal certification administered by the U.S. Small Business Administration. It exists because Congress carved out a specific procurement preference for businesses owned and controlled by veterans who have a service-connected disability rated by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
The certification gives you access to two distinct pools of federal contracts: VA-specific set-asides under the Veterans First Contracting Program, and governmentwide SDVOSB set-asides available across every federal agency. On the VA side, contracting officers are legally required to give priority to verified SDVOSBs before opening competition to the broader market. Governmentwide, any federal contracting officer can set aside a contract exclusively for SDVOSBs when there is a reasonable expectation that at least two qualified firms will bid.
Federal agencies spend over $25 billion annually with SDVOSBs. The VA alone obligated roughly $8 billion to veteran-owned small businesses in FY2023.
Eligibility requirements
You must meet all of the following:
Service-connected disability. At least one owner must have a service-connected disability rating from the VA or Department of Defense. There is no minimum disability percentage required. A 0% rating qualifies. The rating must be connected to military service.
Ownership. One or more service-disabled veterans must own at least 51% of the business. For publicly traded companies, service-disabled veterans must own at least 51% of each class of publicly issued stock.
Control. A service-disabled veteran must control the day-to-day management and long-term strategic decisions of the business. If the veteran has a permanent and severe disability that prevents them from managing the business, their spouse or permanent caregiver may serve in the control role.
Small business status. Your business must qualify as small under SBA size standards for your primary NAICS code. Size standards vary by industry. Most service businesses use an annual revenue cap (often $8 million to $47 million), while manufacturing businesses use an employee count cap (typically 500 to 1,500 employees). Check your exact standard at size.sba.gov.
U.S. citizenship. The qualifying veteran owner must be a U.S. citizen.
If a veteran owner dies or becomes permanently incapacitated, their surviving spouse can retain SDVOSB status for up to 10 years, provided all other requirements are met.
How to apply: the SBA VetCert portal
As of January 2023, the SBA is the sole certifier for SDVOSB status. The VA no longer runs its own separate verification program. All applications go through the SBA VetCert portal at vetcert.sba.gov.
The process runs as follows:
- Create an account at vetcert.sba.gov and register your business.
- Confirm your business is registered and active in SAM.gov. SAM registration is a prerequisite. Allow up to two weeks for a new SAM registration to activate.
- Upload supporting documentation. The SBA will ask for your VA disability rating letter, business formation documents (operating agreement, bylaws, or articles of incorporation depending on entity type), proof of ownership percentages, and a completed owner/control narrative.
- Submit your application. The SBA has a statutory 60-day review period, though many applications are decided faster.
- If the SBA requests additional information, respond promptly. Delays in responding pause the review clock.
Once certified, your status is valid for one year. Annual recertification is required, and the SBA conducts random eligibility examinations.
There is no application fee.
What it unlocks in Kansas
Kansas sits at the intersection of several major federal buyers. Fort Leavenworth is one of the Army's largest intellectual centers and a significant contracting hub for training, logistics support, and professional services. Fort Riley is home to the 1st Infantry Division and contracts regularly for base support, construction, and equipment. McConnell Air Force Base near Wichita contracts for aviation support services, fueling operations, and facility maintenance.
The VA Eastern Kansas Health Care System, which operates facilities in Topeka and Leavenworth, is a direct buyer under the Veterans First Contracting Program. As a verified SDVOSB, you can compete for VA set-aside contracts at these facilities before they open to the general market.
Beyond the VA, every federal agency in Kansas, including the IRS service centers in Kansas City and Andover, the Army Corps of Engineers Kansas City District, and USDA agencies headquartered in the region, can set aside contracts for SDVOSBs. Defense and civilian agencies both use the preference.
Free help through the Kansas APEX Accelerator
The Kansas APEX Accelerator provides free counseling to small businesses pursuing federal contracts, including SDVOSB certification. APEX counselors can review your SAM.gov registration, walk through the VetCert application requirements, help you identify open solicitations in your NAICS codes, and connect you with procurement technical assistance specific to Kansas buyers.
APEX Accelerators are funded by the Department of Defense and charge nothing for their services. Searching "Kansas APEX Accelerator" will surface the current office locations and contact information. Given that the application documentation requirements are specific and errors slow down review, working with an APEX counselor before you submit is worth the time.
Kansas state-level certifications
Kansas does not have a state-specific veteran business certification that mirrors the federal SDVOSB program. However, the Kansas Department of Administration maintains a Small Business Set-Aside program for state procurement, and veteran-owned businesses may qualify as small businesses under state thresholds.
For state and local work, the more relevant complement to SDVOSB is the DBE (Disadvantaged Business Enterprise) certification administered through the Kansas Department of Transportation. DBE certification is required for federally assisted transportation contracts and is distinct from SDVOSB. A service-disabled veteran can qualify for DBE if they meet the program's personal net worth cap ($2.047 million as of 2024) and the social disadvantage criteria.
Some Kansas municipalities, including Kansas City, have MBE (Minority Business Enterprise) and WBE (Women Business Enterprise) programs through their local offices of equity and inclusion. These apply to city and county contracts. If your business is also minority-owned or woman-owned, stacking these certifications with SDVOSB broadens your eligible contract pool across federal, state, and local buyers.
Estimated timeline
- SAM.gov registration (if new): 7 to 14 days
- Document gathering: 1 to 3 weeks depending on how current your VA rating letter and entity documents are
- VetCert application review: 30 to 60 days
- Total from start to certification: 6 to 10 weeks in most cases
Apply well before a target contract closes. Contracting officers cannot accept bids from uncertified firms on set-aside solicitations, and there is no expedited path.
Next steps
Pull your VA disability rating letter before you start. Confirm your SAM.gov registration is active and that your NAICS codes are accurate. Then create your account at vetcert.sba.gov and begin the application. If you want a second set of eyes on your documentation before submission, reach out to the Kansas APEX Accelerator.
