Veteran owned without a disability rating: what is VOSB certification worth outside the VA?

VOSB certification by the SBA does not currently offer the same direct set-aside opportunities as SDVOSB status for federal contracts outside of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Federal agencies like the DoD or GSA do not have specific set-asides for VOSB firms that are not also SDVOSB concerns. The governmentwide goal for small business participation is 5 percent for service-disabled veteran-owned small business, measured on prime contract and subcontract awards, but there is no specific governmentwide goal for non-SDVOSB veteran-owned small businesses. This means that while primes are required to have a subcontracting plan for solicitations expected to exceed $900,000, their focus for veteran-owned businesses is primarily on meeting the SDVOSB goal. For state and local government contracts, the value of VOSB certification depends on the specific state or local procurement rules, which vary widely. It is worth investigating if your state or local government has its own veteran-owned business programs. While the certification itself may not open many direct federal set-aside doors outside the VA, it officially recognizes your status, which can be useful for general marketing and networking, particularly with other veteran-owned businesses or primes who value veteran ownership in a broader sense.