SDVOSB Proposal Writing for Veteran-Owned Firms
Proposals for service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses bidding SDVOSB set-asides at VA, DoD and civilian agencies, from compliance through cleared key personnel.
SDVOSB at a glance
- Ownership: At least 51% owned and controlled by service-disabled veterans
- Certification: SBA VetCert (moved from VA in 2023)
- VA advantage: Veterans First priority for VOSB and SDVOSB firms
- Governmentwide: SDVOSB set-asides and sole-source awards at all agencies
How SDVOSB Contracting Works Now
A service-disabled veteran-owned small business (SDVOSB) is at least 51% owned and controlled by one or more veterans with a service-connected disability. Since 2023, certification is handled by SBA through VetCert for both VA and governmentwide set-asides, and SDVOSB set-asides now require that certification. At VA, the Veterans First program gives veteran-owned firms priority.
| SDVOSB quick facts | |
|---|---|
| Ownership | At least 51% owned and controlled by service-disabled veterans |
| Certification | SBA VetCert (moved from VA in 2023) |
| VA advantage | Veterans First priority for VOSB and SDVOSB firms |
| Governmentwide | SDVOSB set-asides and sole-source awards at all agencies |
| Vehicles | SDVOSB pools on vehicles such as GSA Polaris |
VA Bids and DoD Bids Read Differently
VA's Veterans First program means many VA requirements are set aside for veteran-owned firms first, so competition is among peers who know the program well. DoD and civilian SDVOSB set-asides often draw firms with deeper defense past performance. We tailor the win themes, past performance and price strategy to the agency, not just the set-aside label.
Key Personnel Often Decide It
Many SDVOSB pursuits, especially at DoD, require named key personnel with clearances and certifications. Our cleared recruiters line up those people with letters of intent while our writers build the proposal, so the résumés you submit are people who will actually start.
See how an SDVOSB secured cleared key personnel before submitting an Army proposal.
How We Handle SDVOSB Proposals
Confirm certification
VetCert status, NAICS and size checked for the bid.
Read the agency
VA Veterans First or governmentwide set-aside strategy.
Line up key personnel
Named staff with letters of intent, cleared where required.
Write, review, submit
Compliant volumes, color teams and submission.
Proposal writing by set-aside program
Part of our proposal writing & management service, run by the same team that covers every stage of the contract.
SDVOSB FAQs
Do SDVOSB set-asides require SBA certification now?
What is the VA Veterans First program?
Can you find cleared key personnel for our SDVOSB proposal?
Do you write SDVOSB pool proposals on GWACs?
Tell Us About Your Opportunity
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