How to start a veteran-owned business in 2026
A founder's walkthrough for veterans: form the entity, get SBA VetCert (it's free and now averages 12 days), and use the federal …
The Journal
Working coverage of certifications, corporate procurement, federal contracting, financing, and the operators making each work for diverse-owned businesses. Every piece checked against primary sources.
Find my certifications →A founder's walkthrough for veterans: form the entity, get SBA VetCert (it's free and now averages 12 days), and use the federal …
A sole-source contract is a federal award made directly to one vendor, skipping competition entirely. The four justifications in FAR Part 6.302, …
SDVOSB unlocks federal set-aside contracts across all agencies; VOSB set-asides are exclusive to the VA. If you have any service-connected disability rating, …
Nothing prohibits you from holding 8(a), HUBZone, SDVOSB, and WOSB simultaneously. The question is which certification controls on any given contract, and …
Here is what Wyoming-based businesses need to know about getting SDVOSB certification: eligibility, application process, what federal contracts it opens.
Here is what Wisconsin-based businesses need to know about getting SDVOSB certification: eligibility, application process, what federal contracts it opens.
Here is what West Virginia-based businesses need to know about getting SDVOSB certification: eligibility, application process, what federal contracts it opens.
Here is what Washington-based businesses need to know about getting SDVOSB certification: eligibility, application process, what federal contracts it opens.
Here is what Virginia-based businesses need to know about getting SDVOSB certification: eligibility, application process, what federal contracts it opens.
Here is what Vermont-based businesses need to know about getting SDVOSB certification: eligibility, application process, what federal contracts it opens.
Here is what Utah-based businesses need to know about getting SDVOSB certification: eligibility, application process, what federal contracts it opens.
Here is what Texas-based businesses need to know about getting SDVOSB certification: eligibility, application process, what federal contracts it opens.
Here is what Tennessee-based businesses need to know about getting SDVOSB certification: eligibility, application process, what federal contracts it opens.
Here is what South Dakota-based businesses need to know about getting SDVOSB certification: eligibility, application process, what federal contracts it opens.
Here is what South Carolina-based businesses need to know about getting SDVOSB certification: eligibility, application process, what federal contracts it opens.
Here is what Rhode Island-based businesses need to know about getting SDVOSB certification: eligibility, application process, what federal contracts it opens.
Here is what Pennsylvania-based businesses need to know about getting SDVOSB certification: eligibility, application process, what federal contracts it opens.
Here is what Oregon-based businesses need to know about getting SDVOSB certification: eligibility, application process, what federal contracts it opens.
Here is what Oklahoma-based businesses need to know about getting SDVOSB certification: eligibility, application process, what federal contracts it opens.
Here is what Ohio-based businesses need to know about getting SDVOSB certification: eligibility, application process, what federal contracts it opens.
Here is what North Dakota-based businesses need to know about getting SDVOSB certification: eligibility, application process, what federal contracts it opens.
Here is what North Carolina-based businesses need to know about getting SDVOSB certification: eligibility, application process, what federal contracts it opens.
Here is what New York-based businesses need to know about getting SDVOSB certification: eligibility, application process, what federal contracts it opens.
Here is what New Mexico-based businesses need to know about getting SDVOSB certification: eligibility, application process, what federal contracts it opens.
Here is what New Jersey-based businesses need to know about getting SDVOSB certification: eligibility, application process, what federal contracts it opens.
Here is what New Hampshire-based businesses need to know about getting SDVOSB certification: eligibility, application process, what federal contracts it opens.
Here is what Nevada-based businesses need to know about getting SDVOSB certification: eligibility, application process, what federal contracts it opens.
Here is what Nebraska-based businesses need to know about getting SDVOSB certification: eligibility, application process, what federal contracts it opens.
Here is what Montana-based businesses need to know about getting SDVOSB certification: eligibility, application process, what federal contracts it opens.
Here is what Missouri-based businesses need to know about getting SDVOSB certification: eligibility, application process, what federal contracts it opens.
Here is what Mississippi-based businesses need to know about getting SDVOSB certification: eligibility, application process, what federal contracts it opens.
Here is what Minnesota-based businesses need to know about getting SDVOSB certification: eligibility, application process, what federal contracts it opens.
Here is what Michigan-based businesses need to know about getting SDVOSB certification: eligibility, application process, what federal contracts it opens.
Here is what Massachusetts-based businesses need to know about getting SDVOSB certification: eligibility, application process, what federal contracts it opens.
Here is what Maryland-based businesses need to know about getting SDVOSB certification: eligibility, application process, what federal contracts it opens.
Here is what Maine-based businesses need to know about getting SDVOSB certification: eligibility, application process, what federal contracts it opens.
Here is what Louisiana-based businesses need to know about getting SDVOSB certification: eligibility, application process, what federal contracts it opens.
Here is what Kentucky-based businesses need to know about getting SDVOSB certification: eligibility, application process, what federal contracts it opens.
Here is what Kansas-based businesses need to know about getting SDVOSB certification: eligibility, application process, what federal contracts it opens.
Here is what Iowa-based businesses need to know about getting SDVOSB certification: eligibility, application process, what federal contracts it opens.
Here is what Indiana-based businesses need to know about getting SDVOSB certification: eligibility, application process, what federal contracts it opens.
Here is what Illinois-based businesses need to know about getting SDVOSB certification: eligibility, application process, what federal contracts it opens.
Here is what Idaho-based businesses need to know about getting SDVOSB certification: eligibility, application process, what federal contracts it opens.
Here is what Hawaii-based businesses need to know about getting SDVOSB certification: eligibility, application process, what federal contracts it opens.
Here is what Georgia-based businesses need to know about getting SDVOSB certification: eligibility, application process, what federal contracts it opens.
Here is what Florida-based businesses need to know about getting SDVOSB certification: eligibility, application process, what federal contracts it opens.
Here is what Delaware-based businesses need to know about getting SDVOSB certification: eligibility, application process, what federal contracts it opens.
Here is what Connecticut-based businesses need to know about getting SDVOSB certification: eligibility, application process, what federal contracts it opens.
Here is what Colorado-based businesses need to know about getting SDVOSB certification: eligibility, application process, what federal contracts it opens.
Here is what California-based businesses need to know about getting SDVOSB certification: eligibility, application process, what federal contracts it opens.
Here is what Arkansas-based businesses need to know about getting SDVOSB certification: eligibility, application process, what federal contracts it opens.
Here is what Arizona-based businesses need to know about getting SDVOSB certification: eligibility, application process, what federal contracts it opens.
Here is what Alaska-based businesses need to know about getting SDVOSB certification: eligibility, application process, what federal contracts it opens.
Here is what Alabama-based businesses need to know about getting SDVOSB certification: eligibility, application process, what federal contracts it opens.
Getting SDVOSB certified is the hard part. Keeping it requires annual attestations, prompt reporting of ownership changes, and understanding which agency's rules …
Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business certification gives consulting firms access to set-aside contracts across VA, DoD, and civilian agencies. The verification process through …
January 19 was the largest enforcement deadline in the 8(a) program's 55-year history. We covered the rule structure when it landed. 102 …
There are two separate worlds of veteran certification, and they don't transfer. SBA VetCert gets you federal set-asides for free. NaVOBA's VBE …
Kaiser Permanente spent over $2.3 billion with diverse suppliers in 2022 and is a Billion Dollar Roundtable member. Here is how to …
Set-asides are how the government reserves contracts for small and diverse businesses. Here's how the small business and socioeconomic set-asides work, and …
The September 26, 2025 FAR Part 19 overhaul has been thoroughly covered for procurement officers. Bid protests, set-aside justification memos, internal compliance …
Reader tools
Most of what gets covered here turns into a question of which certification you should pursue first. The eligibility quiz checks your business against every certification we track and returns a ranked list with the buyers each opens.