Agree with post above - 51% minimum.  Also, don;t just pick one department - apply to them all.

Veterans (not necessarily just one) must own, manage and control 51% of the company and that includes earning at least 51% of the labor effort. All agencies have a responsibility to address veteran owned businesses. The fact is however that the VA, DOD and related agencies tend to give VOB companies any real priority for set-asides. Between a VOB and a service disabled VOB, the latter has priority. José A. Rivera, JD Rivera, Sierra & Company, Inc.

With due respect to startups, self-certification is the past. To certify as a VOSB, you now register with VetBiz.gov by logging on to this website: http://www.vip.vetbiz.gov/general_user/register/default.asp. I have gone through this process myself and speak from that experience. It is simple but it does take about 24-48 hours. Jos A. Rivera, JD President & CEO Rivera, Sierra & Company, Inc. A Certified Veteran Owned Business

I agree with Jose. Also make sure you have your DUNS before you go into that site.

Now that you are certified as a VOSB, now what? It depends on your field of expertise, i.e. your NAICS code. If you are in the 'hard skills' fields like construction, etc., you need to go to FBO.gov and find out who got the awards on the last couple of years in your area and solicit them for subcontracting business. Also, a lot of the large construction companies in your community have ways that you can register with them as a VOSB or SDVOSB. In the 'soft skills' fields like management consulting (everything in the 541 NAICS code area for example), you might want to think out of the box and go directly to program officers and pitch what is called a 24.9 proposal, meaning a procurement that is under $25,000 (thus 24.9) and thus does not have to be publicized. It comes directly from a desk officer. Jos

Critical to having a veteran owned business is registering as such with VetBiz.gov. The exact site for registration is http://www.vip.vetbiz.gov/general_user/register/default.asp. It will take about 24-48 hours to get the vetbiz files to recognize your registration and this is the reference point that all procurement agencies will inspect to confirm your status. Jos A. Rivera, JD President & CEO Rivera, Sierra & Company, Inc. A Certified Veteran Owned Business

Veteran-owned Business defined as a small business owned and controlled 51 percent by veterans. This status is self-certified.