An Introduction to Government Small Business Certifications (2026 Update) 
Description
Join us for a comprehensive webinar on how to apply for federal small business certifications through the SBA’s certification portal, MySBA Certifications. This webinar will provide a clear and concise overview of the certification process, empowering you to successfully navigate the application for federal small business certifications and avoid common mistakes that can lead to lengthy processing times or denial of your application.
This course will teach you how to apply for the major SBA federal contracting certification programs, including HUBZone certification, Woman-Owned (WOSB and Economically Disadvantaged WOSB) certification, Veteran-Owned and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB/SDVOSB) certification, and the SBA’s 8(a) Business Development certification.
This in-depth training will cover all steps in the certification process, such as:
- Choosing which program(s) to apply for and understanding timing considerations
- Registering and maintaining your business in SAM.gov
- Creating an account in MySBA Certifications
- Identifying, gathering, and organizing the required certification documentation
- Preparing answers, narratives, and letters of explanation
- Navigating the MySBA Certifications portal and submitting your application
- Monitoring communications and responding to SBA information requests
- Receiving the approval or denial of your application
Target Audience: Small business government contractors and APEX Accelerator counselors.
Meet Your Instructors:
ASHLEY DUWEL, CEO of Duwel Dev, LLC
Ashley Duwel is CEO of Duwel Dev, LLC and Host of the GovConHacks Podcast. With over 13 years of experience as an acquisition professional, Ashley has helped over 750 businesses secure over $1B in government contracts and subcontracts through management consulting and professional services. Her expertise spans from guiding businesses through government procurement and implementation complexities to achieving operational excellence and scaling for long-term success.
Ashley has educated over 17,000 students through partnerships with leading organizations such as Govology, MBDA, and APEX Accelerators. Combining deep industry knowledge with technology, Duwel Dev ensures clients can scale their operations effectively by implementing solutions to enhance productivity and increase efficiency.
If Ashley isn’t in the office, you’ll find her playing with her animals or on the water in the Gulf of Mexico.
Bianca Lucero (verified owner) –
I really enjoyed the structure of the webinar; it was clear, organized, and easy to follow. The step-by-step screenshots of the portal were incredibly helpful and made the process much easier to understand. The links in the slides were also very convenient and easy to access. Having multiple instructors was a great benefit, as it provided different ranges of expertise and perspectives. I also appreciated the time allocated for questions and the thoughtful, thorough responses. This has given me more confidence to start the process for the SBA program, which I found overwhelming at first, and it has provided me with the foundation to better prepare and know what to expect. Thank you for such an informative and supportive session.
Jennifer Swearingen (verified owner) –
Extremely informative. Clearly explained and walked us through the updates to the various certifications and new website, pointing out areas we need to pay particular attention to. I liked that they gave us a step-by-step plan to complete our certifications. They also shared that you have a window of time to complete registrations and that they don’t have to be done in one day, which was reassuring. I feel much more confident moving forward with our certifications thanks to this training. Greatly appreciate them sharing their time and expertise.