Administrator Kelly Loeffler calls the overhaul a “mission reset,” slashing certification wait times from 80 days to 12 and unlocking millions in federal contracting opportunities for veteran-owned businesses.
A Game-Changer for Veteran Entrepreneurs: SBA Clears VetCert Backlog and Rebuilds Veteran Access to Federal Contracts
As the nation emerges from the turbulence of the recent government shutdown, U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Administrator Kelly Loeffler says one group is already leading the country’s economic rebound: America’s veteran entrepreneurs.
In an interview with 'TELL IT LIKE IT IS' Defense News, Loeffler revealed that the SBA has eliminated a backlog of more than 2,700 Veteran Small Business Certification (VetCert) applications—a logjam that had stalled veteran contractors from competing for federal defense and infrastructure contracts. The processing timeline, once a slow-moving 80 days, has now been cut to just 12 days, a change she described as “long overdue and mission critical.”
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| Official portrait of Kelly Loeffler, Administrator of the SBA |
“On day one, I said we’re going to restore this agency to its original purpose—promoting the interests of small businesses and expanding economic opportunity,” Loeffler said. “Veterans bring unmatched discipline, skill, and leadership. Prioritizing them was non-negotiable.”
Reversing Policy Shifts That Undercut Veteran Contractors
Loeffler said the backlog stemmed from policy decisions that diverted resources and contracting attention away from veteran-owned businesses. When the previous administration increased contracting goals for socially and economically disadvantaged businesses from 5% to 15%, veteran programs were inadvertently sidelined.
“That decision crowded out veteran entrepreneurs, defunded veteran-focused programs, and left 2,700 certifications sitting idle,” she noted.
The SBA has now restored staffing and funding to the VetCert office—so effectively that it remained fully operational even during the shutdown.
“We kept VetCert open and moving. That’s how we cleared the backlog,” Loeffler emphasized.
Why Veteran-Owned Businesses Are Fueling America’s Recovery
According to SBA data, veteran-owned small businesses generate nearly $1 trillion annually and employ more than 3.5 million Americans. Loeffler says their reliability, resilience, and operational expertise make them ideal partners for federal agencies—especially the Pentagon.
“Veterans know how to build teams, follow data, adapt under pressure, and solve problems quickly,” she said. “They’re natural entrepreneurs.”
Veterans currently receive about $28 million in small-business lending each week through SBA programs—impressive considering they represent just 5–10% of SBA lending volume.
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| Headquarters of the Small Business Administration. |
80 Days to 12: A Data-Driven Reform
Loeffler described the VetCert overhaul as a strategic, data-driven transformation.
“We’ve gone from 80 days to 12—and we’re not done,” she said. “We’re tracking outcomes across regional offices to ensure veterans never fall through the cracks again.”
She highlighted ongoing interagency collaboration with VA Secretary Doug Collins to align data-sharing, small-business resources, and veteran benefits infrastructure.
“We’re building a seamless federal experience,” she said. “Whether veterans are applying for business certification or health care, the system should work for them, not against them.”
How Veterans Can Start the Certification Process
Loeffler urged veterans interested in government contracting—especially in defense, cybersecurity, logistics, or infrastructure—to contact their local SBA district office.
The SBA’s 68 field offices provide:
- One-on-one business counseling
- Loan and capital access programs
- Government contracting guidance
- VetCert application support
Programs like Boots to Business and Boots to Business Reboot also offer free training for transitioning service members and military spouses.
“If you’re not ready to call, start at SBA.gov. It’s not a marketing site—it’s a fact-driven resource hub,” Loeffler said.
Restoring the SBA’s Original Mission
Loeffler connected today’s reforms to the agency’s origins following World War II.
“The SBA was founded to support returning veterans—men and women who had the skills and discipline to build businesses. We’re restoring that mission now,” she said.
“I’m the daughter and granddaughter of veterans. I saw how my father used his military experience to start a trucking company. Veterans are builders.”
With the backlog cleared, VetCert is fully open and accepting new applications.
“We’re cutting bureaucracy, restoring focus, and returning this agency to what it was always meant to be—a powerful engine of opportunity for the Americans who have already given so much to this nation,” Loeffler concluded.
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-- By Robert Douglass
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