What are set-aside programs?

SBA Certifications: Maximizing your SAM Registration

The SBA has developed certification programs known as “Set-Asides”. Each program has a percentage of federal contracting dollars set-aside for each of them, hence the name “Set-Aside”.

There are four primary SBA Set-Aside Programs;

1. 1. Woman-Owned/Economically Disadvantaged Woman-Owned Small Business (WOSB/EDWOSB)
      • 5% of all Federal contracting dollars are allocated to WOSB or EDWOSB certified businesses
   2. Veteran-Owned/Service Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB/SDVOSB)
      • 3% of federal contracts designated for SDVOSB certified contractors.
   3. Historically Underutilized Business Zone Certification (HUBZone)
      • Businesses in historically underutilized business zones are given exclusive access to certain government contracts.
   4. 8(a) Business Development Program Certification (Minority Owned)
      • As an 8(a) certified business, you are visible to contracting officers as a small business and Minority certified, so the pool for set-aside contracts is smaller, which maximizes your ability to receive no bid contract under $25,000.

Click on ay of those certifications above to learn more about each and which one is right for you. Get in contact with a Certifications Specialist by reaching the USBRI Help Desk at 1-888-646-9998. If you’d like to learn more and are interested, fill out the questionnaire at the bottom of this page and/or call the Help Desk to schedule an appointment.

If you are unsure if you qualify as an SBA small business, use the Small Business Calculator Tool by clicking below