Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman, head of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), has announced updates to the launch of SBA’s new Veteran Small Business Certification Program (VSBCP).

“The new Veteran Small Business Certification Program will be the gold standard in customer experience and support to ensure we grow our base of veteran federal contractors,” said Administrator Guzman. “Adding this certification to SBA’s portfolio of capital, bonding and contracting programs will enable us to better serve our veteran entrepreneurs and help them grow their businesses through federal procurement opportunities.” 

Scheduled to begin operations and accept new applications in January, the VSBCP will be the federal agency’s primary vehicle for veteran-owned small businesses (VOSBs) and service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses (SDVOSBs) certifications – important classifications that enable them to qualify for sole-source and set-aside federal contracting awards.

Administrator Guzman also shared that she intends to grant a one-time, one-year extension to current veteran-owned small businesses verified by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)’s Vets First Verification Program through the Center for Verification and Evaluation (CVE) as of the Jan. 1, transfer date.

For more information, visit www.sba.gov.