Background

The United States Department of Defence (DOD) has set out to recognize the contributions that veterans have made to the country at all levels of government. To this end the DOD has deployed the SDVOSB program. This initiative sets aside part of the US Federal contract budget for enterprises that are considered to be service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses (SDVOSBB).
In 2004, President Bush issued an Executive Order (#13360) designed to bridge the gap between Federal contracts and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Concerns. The budget of 5 billion dollar is set aside by the Office of Federal Procurement Policy (OFPP).

What business quality?

To qualify, 51% of the venture must be owned by one or more Service-Disabled Veterans and its day-to-day operations must be run by one ore more Service-Disabled Veterans ( in special cases, this can be spouse or caregiver).

According to the U.S. Code, a Service Disability is a “disability incurred or aggravated…in line of duty” (38 U.S.C. 101-16).

A SDVOSB is a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business. It is a type of small business that is owned and controlled by a service-disabled veteran, and is used to help service-disabled veterans gain access to government contracts. Service-disabled veterans are those who have been injured or become ill as a result of their military service. SDVOSBs are eligible to receive certain benefits and preferences when competing for government contracts.

How can a veteran verify their status?

To verify that you are a Service-Disabled Veteran, you will need to provide proof of your military service and your disability. The specific documentation required will depend on the specific situation, but some common forms of proof include:

• A DD Form 214 is a document that is issued to all military personnel when they are discharged or retire. This form includes information about your military service, including any injuries or disabilities you may have incurred.
• A VA Disability Rating is a document issued by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) that indicates the severity of your disability and the percentage of disability compensation you are eligible to receive.
• Medical records can provide evidence of your disability and the impact it has on your daily life. Copies of most medical records are on file at the National Personnel Records Center in St Louis, MO;
• A letter from the VA stating that you are a Service-Disabled Veteran, which can be obtained by contacting the VA and providing evidence of your military service and disability.

If you are unsure about what specific documentation is required, you can contact the VA or the agency that you are trying to verify your status with for more information.

We are here to help

If you are a contractor looking for a certified SDVOSB for your construction project, please reach out to us here.

If you are a disabled vet looking to start your own venture, drop us a line here. We are a thriving Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business and we would like to see other vets do the same.

The Belcastro Group