SDVOSB certification in Louisiana
SDVOSB is a federal SBA certification with the same rules in every state. This guide covers what differs in Louisiana: the SBA offices and APEX Accelerators that help you apply, the state programs that sit alongside it, and how many open Louisiana bids there are now.
Facts checked
The short answer
To get SDVOSB certified in Louisiana, 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. Louisiana APEX Accelerator (University of Louisiana at Lafayette) helps Louisiana 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 Louisiana
Louisiana APEX Accelerator (University of Louisiana at Lafayette): 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 Louisiana too
SDVOSB covers federal contracts. To sell to Louisiana agencies, register on LaGov Supplier Portal registration (No fee listed by the state).
- 06
Add the Louisiana certification
Veteran Initiative (LaVetBiz), through Louisiana Economic Development.[11]
Free help in Louisiana
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
Louisiana programs alongside SDVOSB
Louisiana certifies its own programs separately from SBA, for Louisiana state contracts. SDVOSB does not carry over automatically; apply to this one on its own terms:
- Veteran Initiative (LaVetBiz), Louisiana Economic Development.[11]
Open bids in Louisiana
145 open bids in Louisiana 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 Louisiana?
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 Louisiana. Louisiana state and local contracts follow Louisiana's own programs.
Where can I get free help with SDVOSB in Louisiana?
Louisiana APEX Accelerator (University of Louisiana at Lafayette) offers free government-contracting counseling, and the SBA Louisiana District Office serves the state.
Does Louisiana have its own certification like SDVOSB?
Louisiana runs Veteran Initiative (LaVetBiz) (Louisiana Economic Development). It is separate from SDVOSB, and you apply on its own terms.
How many open Louisiana bids mention SDVOSB?
BidRover lists 145 open bids in Louisiana; 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/louisiana
- apex.louisiana.edu/
- opportunitylouisiana.gov/program/hudson-initiative
- opportunitylouisiana.gov/program/veteran-initiative