Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSBs) that hold a GSA Schedule were far more likely to report federal sales (64.4%) than those without one (13.1%). Competing only at the VA limits revenue to one agency.
The “Veterans First” Trap: Why SDVOSBs Get Stuck at the VA
In an old circus, you would often see a massive adult elephant held in place by a small rope tied to a wooden stake. A child might ask: How can that tiny rope hold such a gigantic animal?
The answer is simple: When that elephant was a baby, it was tied to that exact same stake with that exact same rope. It pulled and pulled every day, but it simply wasn’t strong enough to break free. Eventually, it gave up. As a full-grown adult capable of snapping trees, it never tries to pull again because it learned early on that it couldn’t.
Too many SDVOSB firms are stuck in that exact same trap.
Also read our article: Beyond the VA: How SDVOSBs Can Leverage the WOSB Playbook for Federal Growth
How Big Is the SDVOSB Federal Market? (FY2025 Sales Data)
The Powerhouse in Your Hands
Total SDVOSB sales across the federal government reached roughly $34.5 billion in 2025 averaging nearly $1 million per firm across all 37,000 certified entities. The dollars are out there, but competing exclusively at the VA isn’t the answer.
| Sales Location | Sales | # of Firms | Average Sales |
| VA | 10.61B | 2,159 | $4.91M |
| GSA Schedule | 5.71B | 1,879 | $3.04M |
While the VA produces large single awards for a small group of incumbents, GSA Schedules provide a direct path into steady federal revenue across multiple agencies.
Do SDVOSBs With a GSA Schedule Win More Federal Sales?
The most telling metric isn’t the average contract size—it’s the likelihood of winning:
| GSA Schedule | Percentage of Firms with Sales |
| SDVOSB – no GSA | 13.1% |
| SDVOSB- with GSA | 64.4% |
Firms that take the next step to obtain a GSA Schedule are nearly five times more likely to generate federal revenue than those relying on open-market bids alone.
Break the rope. Stop letting early roadblocks at the VA convince you the broader federal marketplace is out of reach.
Does Your SDVOSB Qualify for a GSA Schedule? Get a 10-Minute Assessment
Give us a call for a quick 10-minute assessment. We will evaluate your commercial history, past performance, and NAICS codes to determine if pursuing a GSA Schedule is the right strategy for your business.
