How to Get Certified as a Veteran-Owned Business: Registering as a Service-disabled Veteran
All federal agencies have set aside contracts for service-disabled veterans, meaning that if you do plan on doing business with the government, it would be smart to seek out a service-disability rating from the VA. There is no minimum disability rating required to register as a service-disabled veteran. You are eligible for the same benefits, regardless of whether you have a zero percent rating or a 100 percent rating.
"It can be anything from hearing loss to diabetes to gunshot wounds," Forman says.
According to Forman, however, if you do have a 100 percent rating, most agencies allow a husband, wife or caregiver to run the business. "If someone who's 100 percent dies of the injury sustained, the spouse can also continue to run the business for up to 10 years as a veteran and accrue all the benefits of a veteran," he says.
Craig, who completed the process of becoming a service-disabled veteran through the CCR's self-certifying program, says the process of registering was simple. She registered with the CCR using a DD 214 and proof of disability from the VA. Again, you will need to follow the CCR's guidelines for additional required information.
"The easy part is registering," Craig says. "The hard part is actually learning the government contracting world."
Dig Deeper: How to Become a Government Contractor
How to Get Certified as a Veteran-Owned Business: Registering with the GSA
To land those big contracts, Hale says it is vital to register with the General Services Administration.
"Think of the GSA as an auditing body that determines if your product or service is one that is high enough quality for the government to purchase," Hale explains. "It's a big catalog of stuff that the government buys. If you're one of the vendors that's included in there, then that definitely helps you in getting government business."
That being said, getting on the GSA schedule is no easy task. First, you'll have to review the list of GSA schedules to determine which category your products and services fall under. Again you will need to register with the CCR, complete the Online Representations and Certifications Application, and obtain an Open Ratings Past Performance Evaluation.
Complete application information is available on the GSA's website and training sessions are also offered throughout the year. The training will teach you not only how to successfully apply, but also how to understand government agency procurement programs.
Though Craig says she did hire an independent consultant to help her through the process, Mingey says, "For my money, as a veteran, I'd go for the free training with the GSA."
Dig Deeper: On Landing Government Contracts
How to Get Certified as a Veteran-Owned Business: Other Options
The federal government isn't the only place you can go to get preferential treatment. NaVOBA has released a StateTracker that not only indicates which state governments have legislation relating to veteran-owned businesses, but also provides links as to how you can register or self-certify with those state governments.
"California is the only state that has specific set asides for veteran contracts, but if you're not certified, you can't get them," Mingey says. "There are a number of states that are considering legislation to do similar things."
Hale says NaVOBA will also begin registering veterans for its Buy Veteran program by the end of the year, which will enable you to self-certify on their site, and allow people who are interested in working with veterans to find you.
"That's a third-party entity vouching that you're a veteran-owned business," Hale says.
Dig Deeper: California Legislation on Veteran-owned Businesses
How to Get Certified as a Veteran-Owned Business: Resources
SCORE offers counseling to small business owners around the country and can set you up with specialists in veteran-owned businesses.
The Center for Veteran Enterprise has tons of information on starting a business, financing and searching for business opportunities.
NaVOBA can help you network with other business owners and give you answers to frequently asked questions.
Veterans Corporation links you with training opportunities around the country.
