On December 6, 2022, the SBA held a virtual Q&A session to discuss the roll-out of the Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) and Veteran Owned Small Business (VOSB) certification program. They will be assuming responsibility as of January 2023 and the SBA will begin accepting applications for certification on January 9, 2023. Through the Q&A session, the SBA provided some tips for contractors, an explanation of the processes that are controlling the SBA’s SDVOSB and VOSB certification program, and even gave attendees a preview of the software that will be used. Of course, SmallGovCon was there to get all the details so that we can break them down for you.
The SBA’s Q&A described the proposed processes, a preview of the certification system, and information on how the system will interact with other government websites. As you avid readers know, SmallGovCon has had their finger on the pulse of these changes and provided updates each step of the way (see our posts on the proposed rule, and the final rule). While we will provide a summary of what was presented here, the SBA did state that they would post the webinar on their YouTube page, so if you have a chance, you should give it a watch once it is uploaded. Other resources that the SBA stated may be helpful, in the run up to the grand opening of the SBA certification portal, are the SBA veteran certification website http://www.sba.gov/vetcert and an email address for questions and updates, cvetransfer@sba.gov. With that in mind, let’s dive into what SBA told contractors at their Q&A session on December 6, 2022…
The SBA also provided some good news for any contractors who are currently certified, and will be certified as of January 1, 2023. If a business is certified as of January 1, 2023, you will get one whole year added to your eligibility, thus pushing your recertification due date out a year. This will allow contractors to adjust to the new system, and SBA to prepare further. Of note, this extension will NOT be reflected in systems until SBA gets its database and search tool in place. The SBA stated that contractors do not need to take any action to receive this extra year, as it will be automatically applied to anyone certified as of January 1, 2023. So, for example, if your SDVOSB certification is due for re-certification January 10th, 2023, the SBA states that your due date for recertification would now be January 10, 2024.
If you are a self-certified SDVOSB, then you can continue to be self-certified for 2023. However, you MUST apply for certification through the SBA for a determination of your SDVOSB status prior to the end of 2023. Also, if you are a certified SDVOSB or VOSB through the VA and are still certified as of January 1, 2023, you will be grandfathered into the SBA program. Any protests of SDVOSB or VOSB certification will go through the SBA’s Office of Hearings and Appeals. Read the full article here.
