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.”
 |
| 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.”
