Buy from small business MAS contractors

Set-asides under MAS

Ordering activities may, at your discretion, set aside orders or BPAs for any socioeconomic concerns identified in FAR 19.000(a)(3) (GSA CD RFO 2025-19). When you set aside an order or BPA, remember that the relevant socioeconomic program eligibility requirements in FAR part 19 will apply. Include a clear statement in your request for quote indicating that the order or BPA will be set aside for a particular socioeconomic category, noting that quotes will only be accepted from contractors in the specified category.

If market research suggests that there are no possible small small business sources capable of satisfying the requirements, you may also consider issuing a request for information on eBuy to determine the capabilities of small businesses under the relevant MAS SINs to identify small businesses capable of doing the work.

Alternatives to setting aside an order or BPA

You may also:

• Utilize small business by designating subcontracting to small businesses as a primary evaluation factor.
  • When utilizing this method, do not require a separate subcontracting plan for the order because this would conflict with the subcontracting plan already established in the MAS contract.
  • You may establish goals at the order level in an effort to maximize small business opportunities and achieve the agency’s small business subcontracting goals.
• Consider socioeconomic status as an evaluation factor for source selection.
• Utilize a MAS CTA.

Socioeconomic goaling and agency credit

Agencies receive socioeconomic credit for order awards made to any of the socioeconomic concerns identified in FAR 19.000(a)(3) (GSA CD RFO 2025-19), whether or not the order was set aside. As a best practice, when planning the acquisition, you may consider whether these socioeconomic concerns can satisfy the requirements.  

For purposes of reporting an order and obtaining agency credit, you may receive small business credit only if the awarded contractor meets the small business size standard under the NAICS corresponding to the work performed under the order.

Utilizing the MAS 8(a) Pool

Contractors in the MAS 8(a) Pool are eligible for both sole source and competitive awards as indicated on GSA Advantage and eLibrary. 

In accordance with FAR 19.108-7(d) (GSA CD RFO-2025-19), when an acquisition is below the competitive threshold, contracting officers must first try conducting the acquisition as a competitive 8(a) order before proceeding with a sole source 8(a) award. 

See how to use the MAS 8(a) Pool for more information.

NOTE: MAS 8(a) JV contractors are NOT eligible for participation in the MAS 8(a) Pool. However, 8(a) JVs are eligible for any award under MAS for which they qualify, including competitive and sole source awards. MAS 8(a) JV contractors are identified in eLibrary with “8(a) JV-Eligible” status and their eligibility for a particular award is determined by SBA at the order level.