Learn more about
selling to VA

System for Award Management (SAM) is a platform that manages all government contracts and contractors in a single database. SAM registration is a requirement for drafting a contract with the government, but you are welcome to submit your interest form without it. We do recommend familiarizing yourself with SAM and the registration process.

Effective January 1, 2023, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has assumed sole responsibility for certifying Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSBs) or Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (VOSBs) through the Veteran Small Business Certification (VetCert) program.

You can only begin the VetCert process once you have completed (SAM) registration. When you begin the VetCert process, make sure that you have your Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and Marketing Partner Identification Number (MPIN) on hand.

If you previously self-certified your business’ SDVOSBs/ VOSBs status with the VA, you have until January 1, 2024, to apply through the Veteran Small Business Certification (VetCert) website if you wish to pursue sole-source and set-aside opportunities with the VA.

Failing to register your business before January 1, 2024, in the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Veteran Small Business Certification (VetCert) program will result in your company being unable to compete for certain contracts.

If your product or service is market ready (i.e. -- Is ready for use now, has existing customers, etcetera), VA may evaluate and consider it for acquisition and purchase.

If your product or service is not yet market ready or if you are interested in developing or refining your solution, VA may innovate with you through testing and pilot programs. To explore these options, you may go back to the VA Pathfinder Homepage and navigate to the innovation track.

Submitting your Vendor Interest Form here on Pathfinder is the most streamlined way to connect to VA customers.

After submitting your interest form, you will receive a confirmation email with a submission ID. Once your submission has gone through the complete review process, your information will be used to feed market research. VA customers will have access to this market research and can explore relevant products and services as needs arise in VA.

Please note that while submitting your interest facilitates getting your information in front of relevant customers, it does not guarantee future contracting opportunities with VA.

VA purchases products and services through various contracting vehicles. We recommend identifying open opportunities to sell to VA.

If you would like to make relevant VA customers aware about your product or service, submitting an interest form is the most streamlined way to do so. This allows your submission to be viewed by relevant VA staff and potential customers. Filling out the interest form takes about 15 minutes. Afterwards, you will receive a confirmation email with a submission ID for your records.

VA purchases products and services at a national, regional, and local level. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the Category Management Leadership Council (CMLC) developed 10 government-wide product and service categories to support federal procurements. Learn more here.

VA buys products and service within these 10 categories:

• Facilities & Construction
• Professional Services
• Office Management Products and Services
• Human Capital
• Security and Protection
• Transportation and Logistics Services
• IT
• Medical
• Travel
• Industrial Products and Services
  
  

VA is dedicated to supporting Veterans and has set goals to award contracts to Veteran-Owned Small Businesses and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses. VA Contract Specialists conduct market research to find VOSBs that can fulfill our procurement needs.

VA, as a Federal agency, is required to set aside contracting opportunities for qualified small businesses. Limiting competition to these firms ensures that small businesses do not have to compete with large businesses for the same contracts or procurement opportunities. In fact, VA has aggressive goals to provide robust opportunities for small businesses.

VA has a dedicated office to support small and disadvantaged businesses, called the Office of Small & Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU). This team provides support to small businesses by sharing specialty resources regarding how to navigate the government contracting process. OSDBU is a key partner in the sales process! Learn more about the OSDBU.

"Full and open competition" means that all companies are allowed to submit bids / proposals to become the supplier for the good that the government is looking to purchase. The government works to identify the most economical, suitable, and efficient supplier for the particular good as aligned to federal acquisition regulation.

The Federal Government encourages Full and Open Competition because it generally reduces the price and increases innovation, while ensuring that all companies have a fair shot and an equal opportunity to compete, which is always good for up-and-coming businesses that may not have the same resources as one that is more well established.

Please send an email with your question to VAPathfinderSupport@va.gov and someone from our Vendor Support team will get back to you.