Reference

SDVOSB How-To Guides — 7 Step-by-Step Playbooks

Procedural guides for the milestones a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business works through — getting SBA VetCert certified, registering in SAM.gov, recertifying, staying inside the limitations on subcontracting, forming a compliant joint venture, and finding and bidding set-asides. Each step is grounded in the regulation behind it.

Last updated Update cadence: Quarterly, plus on regulatory changes

Compiled from: 13 CFR Parts 121, 125 & 128 · Federal Acquisition Regulation (Title 48 CFR) · SBA VetCert and SAM.gov program guidance

Change log (1)
  1. LaunchedPublished the how-to guide library covering SDVOSB certification, SAM.gov registration, recertification, limitations on subcontracting, status protests, finding set-asides, and joint ventures — each with HowTo structured data, primary-source citations, and cross-links into the glossary, FAQ, and calculators.

Getting Certified

How to Get SDVOSB Certified Through SBA VetCertA step-by-step walkthrough of the SBA VetCert application that certifies your business as an SDVOSB governmentwide — eligibility checks, documents, submission, and approval.6 steps·Intermediate·60–120 days (including SBA review)
How to Register Your SDVOSB in SAM.govRegister your business in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov) to obtain a Unique Entity ID and become eligible to bid on and receive federal contracts.6 steps·Beginner·7–14 days (entity validation can add time)

Staying Compliant

How to Recertify and Maintain Your SDVOSB StatusSDVOSB certification lasts three years. Learn how to recertify in VetCert, keep your status accurate after ownership or size changes, and avoid an inadvertent lapse.6 steps·Intermediate·30–60 days before expiration
How to Meet the Limitations on Subcontracting on an SDVOSB Set-AsideOn an SDVOSB set-aside you must perform a minimum share of the work yourself. Learn how the limitations on subcontracting are calculated and how to stay compliant.6 steps·Advanced·Ongoing — track across the contract's life
How to Respond to an SDVOSB Status ProtestIf a competitor challenges your SDVOSB eligibility on an award, the SBA reviews your ownership and control. Learn who can protest, the deadlines, and how to defend your status.5 steps·Advanced·Days — deadlines are short and strict

Finding & Winning Work

How to Find and Bid SDVOSB Set-Aside ContractsA practical workflow for locating SDVOSB set-aside and sole-source opportunities on SAM.gov, qualifying them, and submitting a responsive bid.6 steps·Beginner·Ongoing — build it into a weekly rhythm

Teaming & Joint Ventures

How to Form a Compliant SDVOSB Joint VentureA joint venture lets an SDVOSB pursue work it couldn't win alone. Learn the 13 CFR 128.402 requirements for a compliant JV agreement, including mentor-protégé JVs.6 steps·Advanced·30–90 days to structure and paper

Turn the playbook into pipeline

Pre-RFP signals, incumbent intel, and set-aside opportunities — updated weekly.

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