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Glossary Term: small-business-set-aside
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Federal glossary · Status

Small Business Set-Aside

A small business set-aside reserves a contract exclusively for small businesses meeting size standards. Acquisitions between $10K-$250K are automatically set aside for small business.

Example: An active opportunity vs. a closed opportunity in SAM.gov.

Type
Status
Defined by
Federal acquisition guidance
Last reviewed
Jul 2, 2026

Reference record · Sources: Federal acquisition guidance · Verified Jul 2, 2026 · Covers definition, governing source

Home/Glossary/Small Business Set-Aside
Status

Small Business Set-Aside

Also known as

Small Business Set AsideSmallBusinessSetAside

Definition

A small business set-aside reserves a contract exclusively for small businesses meeting size standards. Acquisitions between $10K-$250K are automatically set aside for small business.

Why does Small Business Set-Aside matter?

is a status concept federal contractors and grant writers run into across solicitations, regulations, and award filings

Where this matters in federal contracting

Small Business Set-Aside is a federal-contracting concept that contractors encounter in solicitations, contracts, and supporting documentation. For example: Example: An active opportunity vs. a closed opportunity in SAM.gov. Understanding Small Business Set-Aside is part of the broader working vocabulary required to interpret federal procurement signals — RFPs, modifications, contracting-officer responses, and oversight reports all assume the reader is fluent in terms like Small Business Set-Aside. The related terms above sit in the same conceptual neighborhood; reading them together is faster than reading any one term in isolation, because federal procurement vocabulary is dense with cross-references. Bureauify's glossary is structured to make that browsing efficient: every term links to the network it lives in, not just its own definition.

Example

Example: An active opportunity vs. a closed opportunity in SAM.gov.

Meaning in practice

Small Business Set-Aside is a federal-contracting concept that helps you read government language correctly.

Where you’ll see it

You will see it in solicitations, contracts, forms, and support documents. Example: Example: An active opportunity vs. a closed opportunity in SAM.gov..

Common confusion

People often read it as generic business language instead of a specific government term.

What to do next

Use the related terms and source trail to confirm how Bureauify is using it.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Small Business Set-Aside in government contracting?▾
A small business set-aside reserves a contract exclusively for small businesses meeting size standards. Acquisitions between $10K-$250K are automatically set aside for small business.
Can you give an example of Small Business Set-Aside?▾
Yes. Example: An active opportunity vs. a closed opportunity in SAM.gov.
Why is Small Business Set-Aside important for government contractors?▾
Small Business Set-Aside is a status designation in the federal procurement system. Understanding contract statuses helps you track opportunities and respond at the right stage of the acquisition lifecycle.
Where will I see Small Business Set-Aside?▾
You will see it in solicitations, contracts, forms, and support documents. Example: Example: An active opportunity vs. a closed opportunity in SAM.gov..
What is Small Business Set-Aside commonly confused with?▾
People often read it as generic business language instead of a specific government term.
What should I do next when I see Small Business Set-Aside?▾
Use the related terms and source trail to confirm how Bureauify is using it.

Related terms

Security Classification
bg-yellow-500/20 text-yellow-300 border-yellow-500/30
Final Decision
bg-yellow-500/20 text-yellow-300 border-yellow-500/30
Excluded Parties — Excluded Parties List System
bg-yellow-500/20 text-yellow-300 border-yellow-500/30
Conflict of Interest
bg-yellow-500/20 text-yellow-300 border-yellow-500/30
PCI — Personal Conflict of Interest
bg-yellow-500/20 text-yellow-300 border-yellow-500/30
OCI — Organizational Conflict of Interest
bg-yellow-500/20 text-yellow-300 border-yellow-500/30

Related entities

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Related questions

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Source trail

Small Business Set-Aside page
Canonical glossary term page last reviewed 2026-07-02.
Glossary
Federal acquisition guidance
Official source trail.
Source

More status terms

Security ClassificationFinal DecisionExcluded PartiesConflict of InterestPCIOCIAlternative Dispute ResolutionPersonal Services ContractSca Wage DeterminationH-1b VisaClearance RequirementAffiliation Rules
Source: Federal acquisition guidance·Last updated 2026-07-02 by Bureauify·Category: Status

What to ask next

  • What is Security Classification?
  • What is Final Decision?
  • What is Excluded Parties — Excluded Parties List System?
  • What is Conflict of Interest?
  • What is PCI — Personal Conflict of Interest?
  • What is OCI — Organizational Conflict of Interest?

What can I do?

FollowSave

Route: Orientation path

  1. 1.Discover — you are here
  2. 2.Decide — follow to monitor
  3. 3.Act — follow to monitor

Follow Small Business Set-Aside

Get notified when usage of Small Business Set-Aside changes in contracts or guidance.

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Set-Asides

  • Small Business
  • 8(a)
  • SDVOSB
  • WOSB
  • HUBZone
  • EDWOSB
  • VOSB
  • SDB
  • All Set-Asides

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