NYS SDVOB Certification (and Federal VetCert)
Administered by NYS Office of General Services, Division of Service-Disabled Veterans' Business Development
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What this program is
NYS SDVOB certification recognizes small businesses that are at least 51% owned and controlled by service-disabled veterans. It is issued by the NYS Office of General Services under the Veterans' Services Law, which sets a 6% SDVOB participation goal on State contracts. The federal equivalent, SDVOSB, is certified separately by the SBA through VetCert.
What it unlocks
Counting toward 6% SDVOB goals set by State agencies and authorities, including DASNY and MTA work, and a listing in the State SDVOB directory.
Key facts at a glance
- Cost
- Free; applications accepted year-round
- Review
- OGS confirms completeness within 30 days and decides within 60 days of a complete application
- 2025 average
- 39 business days from receipt to decision
- Term
- 5 years
You may qualify if
- One or more service-disabled veterans with a service-connected disability rating of 10% or more own at least 51% of the business
- The veteran owners actually control day-to-day business decisions
- The business has no more than 300 employees, is independently owned and is not dominant in its field
- The business is in New York or has a significant business presence here
- The business already exists (you can't apply before forming it)
These are screening indicators only, not a guarantee of eligibility. Eligibility is determined solely by the certifying agency.
Documents you'll need to gather
Most delays come from missing paperwork, not the questions. Here's what to pull together, organized by where you'll find it.
Service documents
- DD-214 and/or NG-214, including Line of Duty Report
- VA disability rating letter of 10% or more, dated within one year of when OGS receives your application
- Veteran owner's resume
Business documents
- IRS document verifying your FEIN
- Complete business federal tax returns for the last 3 years
- Business license
- Formation and governance documents for your entity type
- Proof of federal VetCert certification, if you have it
Typical preparation flow
- 1Request an updated VA rating letter if yours is more than a year old.
- 2Create a NY.GOV ID Business Account and log in to the OGS portal.
- 3Complete the Business, Applicant and Financial sections (you can save and return).
- 4E-sign; any other owners get an email to sign too.
- 5Answer OGS questions and site-visit requests quickly. Slow replies are a top cause of delay.
- 6Recertify before your 5 years are up.
Where applications get held up
- Blank fields, missing signatures or missing documents.
- Slow responses to OGS requests or site visits.
- Letting the certification lapse: OGS reported many firms missed their first recertification in 2025.
Federally VetCert-certified firms get an expedited NYS review with fewer documents, but still have to file the NYS application.
Official sources
Last reviewed October 2026. Agencies change their rules; always confirm on the agency's site before you file.
Not sure if SDVOB is the right one for you?
Take the free eligibility check and see every program your company may qualify to pursue (city, state, federal and agency) in the right order.
or call 212-812-2219Other programs you may qualify for
NYC Get Certified is an independent consulting service powered by Managed Construction. We are not a government agency. We do not guarantee certification approval, prequalification, or contract awards. Program requirements are set by the certifying agencies and change over time.