Build Your Veteran Business &
Win Federal Contracts

Before you can register on SAM.gov or apply for SDVOSB certification, you need a legal business entity. Most veterans should start with an LLC for simplicity.

Register Your Entity with Your State

• Search your state's Secretary of State website for business registration
• File Articles of Organization (LLC) or Articles of Incorporation (Corp)
• Cost: $50–$500 depending on state
• Get an EIN (Employer Identification Number) from the IRS — free at IRS.gov →

The UEI (Unique Entity Identifier) replaced the old DUNS number system. It's a 12-character alphanumeric identifier assigned by SAM.gov that uniquely identifies your business for all federal interactions.

Why You Need It

• Required for ALL federal contracts and grants
• Required to register on SAM.gov
• Required to apply for SDVOSB certification
• Required for federal grant applications

How to Get It

• Go to SAM.gov → and create an account
• Start the entity registration process — UEI is assigned during registration
• Free to obtain — no cost
• Processing time: ~10 business days for activation

SAM.gov (System for Award Management) is the federal government's official database for entities doing business with the government. Every contractor must be registered here — it's free and must be renewed annually.

What You'll Need

• Your UEI (from Step 2)
• EIN (Employer Identification Number)
• Business legal name and address (matching your state registration)
• Banking information for Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT)
• NAICS codes for your business (see Step 4)
• Business description and points of contact

Key Facts

• Registration is completely free
• Must renew annually — set a reminder
• Active registration required before any contract award
• Registration is public — contracting officers will search here

NAICS (North American Industry Classification System) codes classify what your business does. The federal government uses them to match businesses with contract opportunities and to determine if you qualify as a "small business" for set-asides.

Why NAICS Codes Matter

• Each NAICS code has a size standard (revenue or employee count)
• You must be a small business under the code to compete for small business set-asides
• Contracting officers search for vendors using NAICS codes
• Your primary code affects your SDVOSB certification

Best Practices

• Register 3–5 NAICS codes that match your services
• Designate a primary code that best describes your core business
• Check the size standard for each code — you must qualify as "small"
• Review codes annually as your business evolves

Before applying for SDVOSB certification, you must verify your veteran status through the SBA's Veteran Small Business Certification program. This is administered at veterans.certify.sba.gov.

Documents You'll Need

• DD-214 (Member 4 copy) — shows character of discharge
• VA disability rating letter (for SDVOSB — shows service-connected disability)
• Business formation documents (Articles of Organization/Incorporation)
• Operating Agreement or Bylaws

VOSB vs SDVOSB

• VOSB (Veteran-Owned Small Business): Honorable discharge, veteran owns 51%+, controls operations
• SDVOSB (Service-Disabled VOSB): Same as VOSB PLUS service-connected disability from VA
• SDVOSB gets priority access to VA VETS First contracts

SDVOSB certification from the SBA unlocks access to federal set-aside contracts specifically designated for service-disabled veteran-owned businesses. Agencies are required to give preference to SDVOSBs.

Eligibility Requirements

• Veteran must own 51% or more of the business
• Veteran must control day-to-day operations and long-term decisions
• Veteran must have a service-connected disability (rated by VA)
• Business must qualify as "small" under its primary NAICS code
• Business must be a U.S. citizen-owned entity

Documents Required

• DD-214 (Member 4 copy)
• VA disability rating letter (any percentage)
• Business formation documents (Articles, Operating Agreement)
• Proof of ownership (stock certificates, membership ledger)
• Recent bank statements (proving operational control)
• Tax returns (most recent 2–3 years if available)

Timeline & Process

• Application processing: approximately 60–90 days
• You may be asked for additional documentation
• Certification is valid for 3 years, then must be renewed
• During review, you may self-represent as SDVOSB pending certification

The SBA's Dynamic Small Business Search (DSBS) is a free marketing database that federal buyers, prime contractors, and contracting officers use to find small businesses. Being listed here gets you found.

Why Register in DSBS

• Federal contracting officers actively search DSBS to find SDVOSBs
• Prime contractors use it to find subcontractors for their small business subcontracting plans
• Free to register — no cost
• Increases your visibility in the federal market

What to Include in Your Profile

• Detailed business description with keywords buyers search for
• Your NAICS codes and size certifications
• Past performance keywords and capabilities
• Contact information and website

You're certified and registered. Now it's time to find and win your first federal contract. Use these resources to identify set-aside opportunities.

Search for SDVOSB Set-Asides

• Go to SAM.gov Contract Opportunities →
• Filter by Set-Aside Type: "Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business"
• Search by your NAICS codes
• Set up email alerts for new opportunities in your codes

VA VETS First Program

• The VA gives priority to SDVOSBs and VOSBs for VA contracts
• Register in the VA's Vendor Information Pages (VIP) database
• Watch VA FedBizOpps for VA-specific SDVOSB set-asides

Get Free Help from PTAC

• Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (PTACs) offer free consulting
• They help with bid/proposal writing, compliance, and finding opportunities
• Over 300 local offices nationwide
• Find your PTAC: aptac-us.org →