SBA takes over federal veteran small-business certification from VA CVE
Citation: 13 CFR Part 128 (effective January 1, 2023) Primary source ↗
Full explanation
Prior to January 1, 2023, federal veteran small business certification was administered by **two separate agencies under different regulations**:
- The **Department of Veterans Affairs's Center for Verification and Evaluation (CVE)** verified VOSBs (Veteran-Owned Small Businesses) and SDVOSBs (Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses) for the VA's Veterans First Contracting Program. CVE-verified status was required to bid on VA-set-aside contracts under 38 USC §8127.
- The **Small Business Administration (SBA)** ran a separate self-certification framework for SDVOSB set-asides outside the VA. Firms could 'self-certify' as SDVOSB on SAM.gov for non-VA federal contracting purposes.
This dual system created confusion: a firm could be 'certified' as SDVOSB at one agency but not another, and SDVOSB protests at non-VA agencies were notoriously difficult.
**Effective January 1, 2023**, the SBA Veteran Small Business Certification Program (codified at 13 CFR Part 128) consolidated both pathways under SBA. All veteran small businesses now apply through SBA Certify (certify.sba.gov). SBA-issued certification is recognized government-wide, including by the VA.
**Existing VA CVE verification transitioned automatically.** Firms with active VA CVE verification on January 1, 2023 were carried forward into the SBA system without re-application. The transition was operational rather than substantive.
**The eligibility tests are unchanged.** VOSB requires a veteran owner. SDVOSB requires a veteran with a VA-rated service-connected disability. Ownership/control thresholds (51% by qualifying veteran) are the same as under the prior dual system.
What this means for diverse contractors
**For veteran-owned firms applying for the first time:** Apply through SBA Certify (certify.sba.gov) regardless of whether you plan to sell to the VA, DoD, GSA, or any other federal agency. Your VOSB or SDVOSB certification works government-wide.
**For firms that had VA CVE verification before 2023:** No action required if your verification transitioned automatically. Verify your status in SBA Certify and ensure your information is current.
**For non-veterans:** This change does not affect you. The federal small-business set-aside programs you may qualify for (8(a), HUBZone, WOSB, EDWOSB) all continue to operate through SBA Certify as before.
**For SDVOSB protests at non-VA agencies:** Now centrally administered by SBA, which has resolved the prior pre-2023 confusion about which agency handled SDVOSB protests for non-VA contracts.
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