Guide
How to win your first federal contract as an SDVOSB
Register your business in SAM.gov, get certified as an SDVOSB by SBA, then bid on SDVOSB set-aside work posted on SAM.gov. Since January 1, 2024, contracting officers must check that an SDVOSB bidder is shown in SAM as certified by SBA before they evaluate the offer. [FAR 19.1405, Set-aside procedures]
Step 1: Register in SAM.gov
To bid as a prime contractor, your business needs an active SAM.gov registration. SAM.gov assigns your Unique Entity ID during registration. [SAM.gov, Entity registration] The FAR requires offerors to be registered in SAM when they submit an offer, with a few narrow exceptions. [FAR 4.1102, SAM registration policy] Registration must be renewed every 365 days to stay active. [SAM.gov, Entity registration]
Step 2: Get certified by SBA
SDVOSB status is determined by SBA under 13 CFR part 128. [FAR 19.1403, Status] To qualify, the veteran owners must be identified by the VA as service-disabled, the firm must be small under the size standard for its NAICS codes, and service-disabled veterans must own and control at least 51% of it. [SBA, Veteran contracting assistance programs] You apply through SBA, and SBA says it does not charge anything to apply. [SBA VetCert portal]
Step 3: Know how SDVOSB set-asides work
A contracting officer may limit competition to SDVOSBs when market research shows a reasonable expectation that two or more eligible SDVOSBs will bid and the award will be at a fair market price. [FAR 19.1405, Set-aside procedures] Contracting officers must consider SDVOSB set-asides before SDVOSB sole-source awards or general small business set-asides. [FAR 19.1405, Set-aside procedures] If only one acceptable SDVOSB offer comes in, the contracting officer should award to that firm. [FAR 19.1405, Set-aside procedures]
Step 4: Find the bids
Federal contracting offices post notices on SAM.gov Contract Opportunities, and anyone can search them without an account. An account lets you save searches and follow opportunities. [SAM.gov, Contract Opportunities] See our guide to finding veteran set-aside bids on SAM.gov.
Step 5: Bid what you can perform
On set-aside construction work, the Limitations on Subcontracting clause caps what you can pay to subcontractors that are not similarly situated: 75% for special trade contractors and 85% for general construction, excluding materials. [FAR 52.219-14, Limitations on Subcontracting] Your own crews have to carry a real share of the job.
Common questions
- Do I need SBA certification to bid on SDVOSB set-asides?
- Yes. Since January 1, 2024, the contracting officer checks that the offeror is designated in SAM as an SDVOSB certified by SBA, or had applied for certification by December 31, 2023. Offerors that do not meet this are removed from consideration. [FAR 19.1405, Set-aside procedures]
- Does SBA charge a fee to apply for VetCert?
- No. The SBA VetCert portal states that SBA does not charge any costs for applying to its programs. [SBA VetCert portal]
- How often do I renew SAM registration?
- Every 365 days, according to SAM.gov. [SAM.gov, Entity registration]
Free
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Sources
- FAR 19.1405, Set-aside procedures
- FAR 4.1102, SAM registration policy
- SAM.gov, Entity registration
- FAR 19.1403, Status
- SBA, Veteran contracting assistance programs
- SBA VetCert portal
- SAM.gov, Contract Opportunities
- FAR 52.219-14, Limitations on Subcontracting
Checked against these sources on October 14, 2026. Rules change, so always read the current solicitation and regulation. This guide is general information, not legal advice.