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Small business programs are designed to create opportunity but navigating eligibility requirements can feel overwhelming. Our commitment is to help your business understand the available programs, their intended audience, and the qualifications required.
We are committed to helping small businesses compete for federal contracts.
In many cases, federal contracts are “set-aside” specifically for small businesses. This means only small businesses can compete for those opportunities.
For contracts above the micro-purchase threshold, agencies are required to set them aside when there is a reasonable expectation of obtaining offers from two or more responsible small business concerns that are competitive in terms of fair market prices, quality, and delivery.
Some opportunities are also reserved for businesses that qualify for specific programs, including:
Depending on the situation, contracts may be:
These programs are designed to expand opportunities and increase participation across all types of small businesses. Pursuing the certifications that are applicable to your small business will increase your visibility to us and other government agencies. Annually, we have goals to award individual prime contracting and subcontracting dollars to small businesses.
The primary goal of the HUBZone program is to stimulate economic growth, increase employment opportunities, and encourage capital investment in historically underutilized business zones.
When seeking status as a HUBZone small business concern, the Small Business Administration, or SBA, will:
To qualify for the HUBZone program, your business typically must:
The veteran-owned and service-disabled veteran-owned small business programs are designed to assist eligible veteran-owned businesses in winning federal contracts.
When seeking status as a VOSB or SDVOSB small business concern, the SBA will:
To qualify for the VOSB or SDVOSB program, your business typically must:
The primary goal of the women-owned small business program is to level the playing field for women business owners and ensure they have an equal opportunity to participate in federal contracting.
When seeking status as a WOSB small business concern, the SBA will:
To qualify for the WOSB program, your business typically must:
The 8(a) program provides nine years of targeted assistance — including training, counseling, and mentorship — to increase the ability of these businesses to win federal, sole-source, and set aside contracts.
When seeking status as an 8(a) small business concern, the SBA will:
To qualify for the 8(a) program, your business typically must:
If you develop innovative technology, then consider the SBIR and STTR programs. The SBIR and STTR mission is to foster a culture of innovation in the United States by providing technology-focused entrepreneurs, startups, and small businesses with funding to develop their ideas and a pathway to commercialization.
Headed by SBA, SBIR and STTR funding is granted through many different participating agencies across the federal government. We do not fund SBIR or STTR programs directly but we do sometimes award and administer Phase I/II/III work on behalf of clients in other federal agencies via our Assisted Acquisition Service. Phases include:
Phase I — Feasibility research
Phase II — Prototype development
Phase III — Commercialization - can transition to federal contracts
Benefits:
If you still have questions or want to talk about programs and eligibility, contact one of our small business specialists for more assistance.
U.S. General Services Administration