What changed, and when
Self-certification ended in two stages
The first deadline, 1 January 2024, ended self-certification for set-aside and sole-source awards. The second, 22 December 2024, ended it for goaling credit and subcontracting. Firms that remember only the first date often believe they are still counted toward an agency’s SDVOSB goal. They are not.
Source: 13 CFR part 128
The VA never allowed self-certification
VA contracts always required verification. What changed in 2023 is that responsibility for it moved from the VA to SBA, so one certification now covers both.
What certification is worth
A five percent government-wide goal
Federal agencies are measured against a goal of not less than 5 percent of prime and subcontract dollars going to service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses. The figure was 3 percent until the FY2024 defense authorization raised it, which is why the older number is still quoted nearly everywhere.
Source: 15 U.S.C. 644(g)(1)(A)(ii)
The VA’s Rule of Two
At the VA, a contracting officer must set a contract aside for veteran-owned small businesses whenever there is a reasonable expectation that two or more will bid at a fair and reasonable price. That duty is stronger than the discretionary authority that applies across the rest of government.
Source: 38 U.S.C. 8127
Sole-source awards without competition
A contracting officer may award directly to a certified SDVOSB, with no competition, up to $8.5 million for manufacturing and $5 million otherwise. At the VA the ceiling is $5 million flat.
Source: FAR subpart 19.14
And whatever your state adds
Most states run their own program on top of the federal one, and several accept your SBA certification in place of a separate application. The figures range from a mandatory award window to nothing at all.
Applying
Where it happens
Applications go through SBA’s certification portal. You will need an active SAM registration and a Unique Entity ID before you start, and documentation of the service-connected disability if you are applying as a service-disabled firm.
Source: SBA certification portal
Check whether you are already listed
If SBA has already certified your firm, it is in this directory with a page of its own and a badge you can put on your website.
Verified October 24, 2026. Procurement rules change — check each source before relying on it. This is general information, not legal or procurement advice.
Free to list, free to search — nobody pays to appear here.
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