Federal surplus property for veteran-owned businesses

Step 1: qualify

SBA says your business must be registered and certified in SBA’s VetCert database, and unconditionally owned and controlled by one or more eligible veterans, service-disabled veterans, or surviving spouses. It must operate in the state where the property is located, and it must keep its veteran-owned status through the restriction period. You must also find the property useful to your business.

Step 2: get certified

SBA’s VetCert program replaced VA certification on January 1, 2023. Apply through SBA Veteran Small Business Certification. Service-disabled status is not required by the SBA program description; veteran-owned small business status is what counts. Ask your state agency which proof of veteran-owned status it wants before you apply.

Step 3: contact your state agency

GSA says veteran-owned small businesses that want to take part contact their State Agency for Surplus Property to register. The state agency decides whether you are eligible. SBA says to contact the agency in the state where your business is headquartered. GSA lists every state agency at its State Agencies for Surplus Property page.

Rules that come with the property

• Use it in the normal conduct of your business. Personal or non-business use is prohibited.
• Use it as intended within one year of receipt. 13 CFR 128.700 says you return the property to the state agency if SBA directs it, including when you have not used it as intended within one year.
• Do not sell, transfer, loan, lease, encumber or otherwise dispose of it during the restriction period without express written authorization.
• You take on all liability and all costs of using and maintaining it. You get conditional title first; full title comes only after you meet every requirement.
• Federal rules say a state agency cannot charge a veteran-owned business more than other transferees. Ask your state agency about its donation fees.
• What is available depends on what federal agencies turn in. Ask your state agency whether it has a way to request specific items.

Where to call and where to go

Phone

• SBA Veteran certification help: 866-SBA-HELP (866-722-4357), Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET, not on federal holidays. Email certifications@sba.gov. Source: SBA.

Official pages

• SBA Veteran Small Business Certification (apply here)
• GSA: state agency contacts for every state

Free help: this is a business program, not a VA benefit claim. For certification questions use the SBA number above; the state agency answers questions about property and eligibility.