Federal contracting is full of acronyms, but few carry as much weight — or as much scrutiny — as SDVOSB. For agencies issuing RFPs, and for the contractors bidding on them, understanding what the designation actually means matters more than most people realize.

Carrigg Commercial Builders, based in Manchester, NH, is a certified Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business. Rather than explain what that means for any one company, it's worth stepping back and looking at what the designation is, how it came to exist, and why it plays the role it does in federal and VA construction work.

What SDVOSB Actually Means

A Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business is a small business that is at least 51% owned and controlled by one or more veterans with a service-connected disability. The designation isn't self-declared for federal set-aside purposes — it requires verification through the Department of Veterans Affairs' Center for Verification and Evaluation (CVE), which reviews ownership structure, day-to-day control, and management before certifying that a business meets the standard.

That verification process exists because the federal government has a direct interest in confirming that only businesses genuinely owned and controlled by disabled veterans receive the designation.

Why the Designation Exists

Federal law requires certain agencies to set aside a percentage of contracting dollars for verified SDVOSBs, and the VA operates under additional statutory authority — commonly referred to as the "Veterans First" contracting program — that gives priority to veteran-owned firms in its procurement decisions. This reflects a broader policy goal: veterans who served, including those who carry service-connected disabilities into civilian life, are meaningfully represented among the businesses the federal government does business with.

What Verification Actually Involves

Certification isn't a form filed once and forgotten. The CVE review examines who controls hiring, financial decisions, and daily operations — not just who holds equity on paper. Businesses can lose certification if control shifts away from the qualifying veteran owner. It's a standard built around ongoing accountability, not a one-time label.

"A verified designation isn't a marketing label. It's a federal compliance standard, backed by a formal review process most self-declared claims never have to pass."

Where This Fits at Carrigg

Carrigg Commercial Builders holds CVE-verified SDVOSB status. In practical terms, that means the company has gone through the federal government's formal process for confirming veteran ownership and control — the same process any business pursuing this designation has to complete. It's one part of the broader picture for anyone evaluating Carrigg as a contractor, alongside the company's 25+ years in commercial construction and its work inside occupied, mission-critical facilities across New England.

For federal project managers and facility directors, understanding what SDVOSB certification does and doesn't guarantee is useful groundwork — not just for evaluating Carrigg, but for evaluating any contractor that carries the designation.

Carrigg Commercial Builders is a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business providing commercial construction and general contracting services throughout New England. To connect with Robert Carrigg's team, visit carrigg.com or call (603) 252-4343.