SDVOSB certification in Colorado
SDVOSB is a federal SBA certification with the same rules in every state. This guide covers what differs in Colorado: the SBA offices and APEX Accelerators that help you apply, the state programs that sit alongside it, and how many open Colorado bids there are now.
Facts checked
The short answer
To get SDVOSB certified in Colorado, register in SAM.gov, confirm you meet SBA's rules for small businesses at least 51% owned and controlled by veterans with a service-connected disability, and apply free on MySBA Certifications. Colorado APEX Accelerators helps Colorado businesses apply at no cost.
Step by step
- 01
Register in SAM.gov
Every certification and federal award needs an active SAM.gov registration and Unique Entity ID. Registration is free and must be renewed every 365 days.[1]
- 02
Check SDVOSB eligibility
The business must be small and at least 51% owned and controlled by veterans; for SDVOSB, by veterans the VA has rated as having a service-connected disability.[3]
- 03
Get free help in Colorado
Colorado APEX Accelerators: free counseling on SAM.gov, certification and bidding.[9]
- 04
Apply on MySBA Certifications (VetCert)
Apply at certifications.sba.gov with proof of the owners' VA service-connected disability rating and the firm's ownership documents.[2]
- 05
Register with Colorado too
SDVOSB covers federal contracts. To sell to Colorado agencies, register on ColoradoVSS vendor registration (free).
- 06
Add the Colorado certification
State procurement preference for SBA-certified SDVOSBs, through Department of Personnel & Administration.[10]
Free help in Colorado
APEX Accelerators, funded by the Department of Defense, help with registration, certification and bids. SBA district offices run certification outreach and answer program questions.
APEX Accelerators
SBA district office
Colorado programs alongside SDVOSB
Colorado certifies its own programs separately from SBA, for Colorado state contracts. SDVOSB does not carry over automatically; apply to this one on its own terms:
- State procurement preference for SBA-certified SDVOSBs, Department of Personnel & Administration. Colorado issues no small or diverse business certification of its own; its procurement goal for service-disabled veteran-owned firms (3%) relies on SBA's SDVOSB certification.[10]
Open bids in Colorado
55 open bids in Colorado right now; 0 name SDVOSB in the title.
No open bids right now. Browse all open bids
What SDVOSB gets you
- Certified SDVOSBs can receive set-asides and sole-source awards at any federal agency; veteran-owned (VOSB) certification alone helps only at the VA.[3]
- The government-wide SDVOSB goal is 5% of prime contract dollars, raised from 3% by the FY2024 National Defense Authorization Act.[5]
- Certification lasts three years.[4]
Related guides
Questions
Is SDVOSB certification different in Colorado?
No. SDVOSB is a federal SBA certification with the same rules in every state, and it applies to federal contracts, including federal work performed in Colorado. Colorado state and local contracts follow Colorado's own programs.
Where can I get free help with SDVOSB in Colorado?
Colorado APEX Accelerators offers free government-contracting counseling, and the SBA Colorado District Office serves the state.
Does Colorado have its own certification like SDVOSB?
Colorado runs State procurement preference for SBA-certified SDVOSBs (Department of Personnel & Administration). It is separate from SDVOSB, and you apply on its own terms.
How many open Colorado bids mention SDVOSB?
BidRover lists 55 open bids in Colorado; 0 of them name SDVOSB in the title. Most set-asides are marked in the solicitation rather than the title, so read each notice.
Sources
- sam.gov/entity-registration
- certifications.sba.gov/
- sba.gov/federal-contracting/contracting-assistance-programs/veteran-contracting-assistance-programs
- sba.gov/article/2024/01/09/sba-marks-one-year-anniversary-veteran-small-business-certification-program
- congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/2670
- acquisition.gov/far/2.101
- uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title15-section644&num=0&edition=prelim
- sba.gov/district/colorado
- coloradoapex.org/
- dhr.colorado.gov/supplier-diversity/business-certifications
- oedit.colorado.gov/programs-and-funding/awards/certifications/certify-colorado