VETERANS

The Government Sets Aside Contracts for Disabled Veterans. Right Now 307 Federal Bids Are Open Only to Them.

Federal law sets a goal that at least 5% of federal prime contract and subcontract dollars go to small businesses owned and controlled by service-disabled veterans each year. Contracting officers meet that goal by setting bids aside, which means only certified service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses (SDVOSBs) can compete. This page lists the open set-aside bids from SAM.gov, the federal and VA programs that help veterans start and grow a business, and the official place to go for each one.

Open bids set aside for service-disabled veterans

These come from SAM.gov, updated twice a day, and are sorted by the soonest due date. Each one opens the full notice with the agency, place of work and a link to the official SAM.gov listing.

States with the most:

Showing the 25 due soonest of 306. Search every set-aside bid by trade or state →

Open bids set aside for veteran-owned businesses

The VA buys equipment for veterans starting a business

Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E, also called Chapter 31) has a self-employment track for veterans with a service-connected disability whose plan is to run their own business. With an approved plan, VA can pay for the tools, supplies, essential equipment, minimum starting stock and license fees the business needs, along with business management training. VA rules do not allow it to pay for trucks, cars or other vehicles, land, buildings, or leases and rentals. The veteran's VR&E counselor works through the business plan and handles the purchases.

VA buys that equipment through its own purchasing, and some of it is posted on SAM.gov as contract opportunities that any qualified business can answer. Open ones right now:

To apply, a veteran starts at VA's self-employment page. The rules are in 38 CFR 21.214 and 38 CFR 21.257.

Get certified with SBA VetCert

To win a set-aside, the business has to be certified. Since January 1, 2023, certification for both veteran-owned (VOSB) and service-disabled veteran-owned (SDVOSB) small businesses is done by the Small Business Administration through its VetCert program, not by the VA. The business must be at least 51% owned and controlled by one or more veterans (service-disabled veterans for SDVOSB) and must be small under SBA size standards for its industry. There is no self-certifying for VA set-asides, and since December 22, 2024 certification is also required to count toward federal subcontracting goals.

Apply at certifications.sba.gov, and read the program rules on SBA's veteran small business page. SBA's VetCert help line is 866-722-4357 and the email is certifications@sba.gov.

Veterans First at the VA

The Department of Veterans Affairs gives veteran businesses first priority on its own buying under its Veterans First program. When VA has a reasonable expectation that two or more verified veteran businesses will bid at a fair price, it sets the contract aside for them, with service-disabled veteran businesses first in line. VA's Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization has the details and contacts.

Surplus property for veteran-owned businesses

Certified veteran-owned small businesses can get federal surplus personal property through their State Agency for Surplus Property (SASP). The business must be VetCert certified, located in that state, and use the property in the business. It can't be resold during the restriction period and must be put to use within a year. Each state's SASP sets its own service charges and process.

Training and help in person

Boots to Business is SBA's entrepreneurship course for service members and military spouses, given as part of the Defense Department's Transition Assistance Program and taught mostly by SBA district office staff and Veterans Business Outreach Centers. Boots to Business Reboot brings it to those who don't have access to a military installation. Veterans Business Outreach Centers (VBOCs) also give one-on-one help with business plans, financing and contracting, and every SBA district office has a Veterans Business Development Officer. Start at SBA's Boots to Business page and SBA's veteran small business page.

Loans

Veteran-owned businesses use the same SBA loan programs as any small business, through SBA lenders. The 7(a) loan covers working capital, equipment and real estate, and the 504 loan covers major fixed assets like buildings and heavy equipment.

Sources

Set-aside bids: SAM.gov contract opportunities, updated twice a day. SDVOSB goal: 15 U.S.C. 644(g)(1)(A)(ii), raised from 3% to 5% by Public Law 118-31. VetCert: 13 CFR Part 128 and SBA Certifications. VR&E self-employment: VA.gov, 38 CFR 21.214 and 21.257. Veterans First: VA OSDBU. UX Contract is independent and not a government website.