Set-Asides
Federal Small-Business Set-Aside Programs
The government must direct at least 23% of prime contract dollars to small businesses each year — with sub-goals for each program below. Browse the eligibility and benefits of each.
- 8(a)·5% of federal prime contract dollars8(a) Business Development Program
A nine-year SBA business-development program for small businesses owned by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals. Participants are eligible for sole-source contracts and set-aside competitions.
- WOSB·5% of federal prime contract dollarsWomen-Owned Small Business
A set-aside program for small businesses at least 51% owned and controlled by U.S. citizen women in NAICS codes where women-owned firms are underrepresented.
- EDWOSB·Counted within 5% WOSB goalEconomically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business
A subset of WOSB for firms whose owners also meet the 8(a) economic disadvantage thresholds. EDWOSB firms are eligible for set-asides in a broader range of NAICS codes and for sole-source awards.
- HUBZone·3% of federal prime contract dollarsHistorically Underutilized Business Zone Program
A set-aside program for small businesses located in economically distressed areas with at least 35% of employees living in a HUBZone.
- SDVOSB·3% of federal prime contract dollarsService-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business
A set-aside program for small businesses at least 51% owned and controlled by one or more service-disabled veterans.
- VOSB·Counted within 3% SDVOSB/VOSB goal at VAVeteran-Owned Small Business
A set-aside program for small businesses at least 51% owned and controlled by one or more veterans. Primarily relevant at the Department of Veterans Affairs under the Vets First program (Public Law 109-461).
- SDB·12% of federal prime contract dollarsSmall Disadvantaged Business
A self-identified designation (no SBA certification required) for small businesses that are at least 51% owned and controlled by one or more socially and economically disadvantaged individuals. SDB status is used for goal attribution and agency reporting.