Veteran & Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Programs

The Air Force Office of Small Business Programs recognizes that U.S. military veterans have provided invaluable service to the nation in times of peace and war. We recognize that the Air Force can lead the fight for our veterans by recognizing the wealth of knowledge, innovation and agility they offer as they leave active service and open their businesses. They have the "hands-on" experience in every field activity in the Air Force, so it’s important that we capture their capabilities in Air Force acquisitions. Also, they are likely to hire, mentor and train other war veterans as they transition to private life.

Valuable Assistance for Veterans and Service-Disabled Veterans

  • Federal regulations require those businesses that are other than small to submit subcontracting plans that include goals for awards to Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) concerns.
  • The federal Veterans Benefits Act of 2003 created the SDVOSB Program.
  • Executive Order 13360 was issued to ensure SDVOSBs receive at least 3 percent of all Federal acquisitions.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify as a VOSB, a business must:

  • Be classified as small business concern (by the Small Business Administration standards)
  • Be 51 percent owned by one or more veterans
  • Have management and daily business operations controlled by one or more veterans or service-disabled veterans (or the spouse/permanent caregiver of a permanently and severely disabled veteran)

To qualify as a SDVOSB, a business must:

  • Be classified as small business concern (by the Small Business Administration standards)
  • Be 51 percent owned by one or more service-disabled veterans
  • Have management and daily business operations controlled by one or more service-disabled veterans (or the spouse/permanent caregiver of a permanently and severely disabled veteran)

The terms veteran and service-disabled veteran are defined in the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), Subpart 2.101.

References

Program Overview