Federal & State certifications
The right certification opens doors to government contracts your business may otherwise never qualify for.
Identify, qualify, and secure the certifications that determine which contracts your business can compete for.
Many government contracts are reserved for certified businesses.
If you’re not properly certified, you may be excluded from entire categories of opportunities before you ever submit a bid.
We evaluate your business, determine which certifications apply, and handle the process from eligibility through approval—so you’re positioned correctly inside the system.
Available Certification Programs
Federal and state certifications that unlock access to set-aside and priority contract opportunities.
VOSB
Veteran-Owned Small Business51%+ owned and controlled by one or more veterans
VOSB certification opens the door to veteran-specific set-aside opportunities at federal agencies, including priority contracts through the Department of Veterans Affairs. Verification through the SBA’s VetCert program is now the standard — and FEDCON handles the full submission. If you’ve served, you’ve likely already earned access to a category of contracts your competitors can’t touch.
EDWOSB
Economically Disadvantaged WOSBWOSB-eligible + personal net worth under $850K and adjusted gross income under $400K
EDWOSB is the elevated tier of WOSB certification, reserved for women business owners who also meet economic disadvantage thresholds. It unlocks set-aside contracts in all WOSB-designated industries — not just underrepresented ones — giving EDWOSB-certified businesses a wider access window than standard WOSB. FEDCON handles the additional financial documentation the EDWOSB application requires.
WOSB
Women-Owned Small Business51%+ owned and controlled by a woman or women
WOSB certification gives you access to federal set-aside contracts in industries where women-owned businesses are underrepresented. Agencies across every sector are required to meet WOSB spending goals annually — meaning active demand, not just theory. For eligible businesses, this is one of the fastest certifications to activate and one of the broadest in terms of contract opportunity.
8(a)
SBA 8(a) Business DevelopmentSocially and economically disadvantaged owner, 51%+
The 8(a) program is a nine-year business development program with access to sole-source contract awards up to $4.5M for services and $7M for manufacturing — no competitive bidding required. It’s the most powerful small business designation in federal contracting. The application is intensive and the eligibility rules are specific. FEDCON has helped clients navigate the full process from eligibility review to approval.
HUBZone
Historically Underutilized Business ZonePrincipal office in a HUBZone area, 35%+ employees reside there
HUBZone certification comes with a 10% price evaluation preference on full-and-open competition contracts — meaning your bid can be 10% higher than a competitor’s and still win. It also opens the door to HUBZone-only set-asides. Geographic eligibility changes regularly, so FEDCON verifies your address qualifies before beginning any application work.
SDVOSB
Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned SB51%+ owned and controlled by a service-disabled veteran
SDVOSB is the highest-priority veteran certification in federal contracting. It unlocks sole-source contracts — meaning the agency can award you a contract without a competitive bid process — at both the VA and across the broader federal marketplace. The documentation requirements are strict. FEDCON’s advisors have guided businesses through every step of the VetCert submission process.
VBE
Veteran Business Enterprise51%+ owned and controlled by one or more veterans
VBE certification operates at the state level and gives veteran-owned businesses access to state procurement set-asides and supplier diversity programs that run parallel to — but separate from — the federal VOSB designation. Many states have their own veteran spending mandates. FEDCON identifies which state programs are active in your operating region and handles the certification accordingly.
DBE
Disadvantaged Business EnterpriseDisadvantaged owner, net worth under $2.047M
DBE certification is administered by state DOT agencies and is required to access transportation, infrastructure, and highway construction set-aside programs funded by federal dollars but awarded at the state level. If your business operates in construction, engineering, logistics, or transportation, DBE is often the certification that actually governs the projects you’re competing for.
MBE
Minority Business Enterprise51%+ owned and controlled by a member of a recognized minority group
MBE certification is the primary gateway to state and local government contracts, as well as corporate supplier diversity programs at major Fortune 500 companies. It’s issued through the NMSDC and recognized by thousands of procurement programs nationwide. For businesses selling beyond the federal marketplace, MBE opens a second tier of set-aside opportunity that most competitors ignore.
SDVBE
Service-Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise51%+ owned and controlled by a service-disabled veteran
SDVBE is the state-level equivalent of the federal SDVOSB — and for businesses in states with strong veteran procurement programs, it’s a separate, valuable certification that agencies actively use to meet their spending targets. Holding both the federal SDVOSB and state SDVBE certifications maximizes your visibility across every level of government procurement simultaneously.
WBE
Women Business Enterprise51%+ owned and controlled by a woman or women
WBE certification is the state-level and corporate counterpart to the federal WOSB program. It opens the door to supplier diversity programs at major corporations and state procurement set-asides that run parallel to — but separate from — the federal system. For women-owned businesses selling to both government and enterprise clients, WBE extends your certified reach beyond the federal marketplace.
