How set-asides work + why eligibility matters
A federal set-aside is a contract reserved exclusively for businesses meeting a specific certification. Every set-aside has three components: (1) the qualifying program (e.g. 8(a), SDVOSB, HUBZone), (2) the certifying body (SBA, VetCert, or the agency), and (3) the eligibility window (often year-by-year SBA size standard). Get the certification first, THEN bid — agencies cannot retroactively count uncertified vendors. Each program below links to eligibility rules + live set-aside contracts.
Find your set-aside
Top set-aside programs by current contract volume
Live counts from SAM.gov. Refreshed at build time.
Cross-cut set-asides with other dimensions
Set-asides are one filter on a contract. Combine with these dimensions to narrow further.
Market Intelligence — Set-Aside Programs
Records by Type
Top Contractors in Set-Aside Programs
| # | Contractor | Awards | Total Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | SID BOEDEKER SAFETY SHOE | 314 | Not specified |
| 2 | KONICA MINOLTA BUSINESS SOLUTIONS | 46 | Not specified |
| 3 | STAPLES BUSINESS ADVANTAGE | 39 | Not specified |
| 4 | ODP BUSINESS SOLUTIONS LLC | 37 | Not specified |
| 5 | THE PAIGE COMPANY | 35 | Not specified |
| 6 | TAPP NETWORK | 26 | Not specified |
| 7 | LEGAL AID OF WESTERN MISSOURI | 21 | Not specified |
| 8 | DEARDORFF ASSOCS INC | 19 | Not specified |
| 9 | TAYLOR PRINT IMPRESSIONS | 19 | Not specified |
Competitive Position
Good conditions for new entrants — 9+ active vendors
Set-Aside Distribution
Monthly Activity (Last 12 Months)
Trending Set-Aside Programs Records
One Acquisition Solution for Integrated Services Plus (OASIS+) Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone) Small Business Set-Aside...
NSN 5340014127004; Padlock Set
E-2 Pedestal Tool Set
Avionics Test Set Cable Assemblies
MQ-4C Fuel Density Measurement Sets
Set (ty Ii) (24 In) (rcp) (4: 1) (c)
Cylinders and Lock Sets
Filters and Wrench Set
39--sling Set,multiple
Sub Primary Spring Set
Components and Instruments for Aircraft Launcher Interface Computer (ALIC) Guided Missile Launcher Test Set (GMLTS)
Meter Railroad Test Set Triplett Model 2002 100hz
Customer Plastic Library Card/Key Tag Combination Sets
Agilent Seahorse Xf Flex Analyzer System
Toad Software Licenses with Maintenance Support
**UPDATE **Special Notice "Opportunity for Small Business Participation in COMET" Defense Intelligence Agency Missile and Space Intelligence Center...
Corporate Operations Support Services
WRENCH SET FLARE NUT INCLUDES 7 PCS 12 POINT 3/8inch 7/16inch 1/2inch 9/16inch 5/8inch 11/1inch AND 3/4inch WITH
Special Notice For Space Systems Command Strategic Services Vehicle (SSSV) Program
Set-aside Solutions Llc
All Records
One Acquisition Solution for Integrated Services Plus (OASIS+) Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone) Small Business Set-Aside...
NSN 5340014127004; Padlock Set
E-2 Pedestal Tool Set
Avionics Test Set Cable Assemblies
MQ-4C Fuel Density Measurement Sets
Set (ty Ii) (24 In) (rcp) (4: 1) (c)
Cylinders and Lock Sets
Filters and Wrench Set
39--sling Set,multiple
Sub Primary Spring Set
Components and Instruments for Aircraft Launcher Interface Computer (ALIC) Guided Missile Launcher Test Set (GMLTS)
Meter Railroad Test Set Triplett Model 2002 100hz
Customer Plastic Library Card/Key Tag Combination Sets
Agilent Seahorse Xf Flex Analyzer System
Toad Software Licenses with Maintenance Support
**UPDATE **Special Notice "Opportunity for Small Business Participation in COMET" Defense Intelligence Agency Missile and Space Intelligence Center...
Corporate Operations Support Services
WRENCH SET FLARE NUT INCLUDES 7 PCS 12 POINT 3/8inch 7/16inch 1/2inch 9/16inch 5/8inch 11/1inch AND 3/4inch WITH
Special Notice For Space Systems Command Strategic Services Vehicle (SSSV) Program
Set-aside Solutions Llc
One Acquisition Solution for Integrated Services Plus (OASIS+) Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone) Small Business Set-Aside...
NSN 5340014127004; Padlock Set
E-2 Pedestal Tool Set
Avionics Test Set Cable Assemblies
MQ-4C Fuel Density Measurement Sets
Set (ty Ii) (24 In) (rcp) (4: 1) (c)
Cylinders and Lock Sets
Filters and Wrench Set
39--sling Set,multiple
Sub Primary Spring Set
Components and Instruments for Aircraft Launcher Interface Computer (ALIC) Guided Missile Launcher Test Set (GMLTS)
Meter Railroad Test Set Triplett Model 2002 100hz
Customer Plastic Library Card/Key Tag Combination Sets
Agilent Seahorse Xf Flex Analyzer System
Toad Software Licenses with Maintenance Support
**UPDATE **Special Notice "Opportunity for Small Business Participation in COMET" Defense Intelligence Agency Missile and Space Intelligence Center...
Corporate Operations Support Services
WRENCH SET FLARE NUT INCLUDES 7 PCS 12 POINT 3/8inch 7/16inch 1/2inch 9/16inch 5/8inch 11/1inch AND 3/4inch WITH
Special Notice For Space Systems Command Strategic Services Vehicle (SSSV) Program
Set-aside Solutions Llc
Small Business Programs
Small Business
39,706 contractsTotal Small Business Set-Aside
Total Small Business Set-Asides restrict competition exclusively to small businesses as defined by SBA size standards. These opportunities are among the most common set-aside types, representing a significant portion of federal contracting dollars directed to small enterprises.
Partial SB
Small Business Set-Aside (Partial)
Partial Small Business Set-Asides reserve a portion of a larger contract for small businesses while allowing full and open competition for the remainder. This enables agencies to meet small business goals on large acquisitions.
ESB
Emerging Small Business Set-Aside
Emerging Small Business set-asides target the smallest of small businesses, providing opportunities for firms that might not otherwise compete for federal contracts. These help very small companies gain initial federal experience.
Reserved SB
Reserved for Small Business
Reserved for Small Business contracts are set aside for small businesses under FAR 19.5. Similar to Total Small Business set-asides but may have different evaluation criteria or bundling considerations.
Socioeconomic Programs
8(a)
8(a) Set-Aside
8(a) Business Development Program set-asides are reserved for firms owned by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals. The program provides mentoring, procurement assistance, and sole-source contracting opportunities up to $4.5M for goods and $7M for manufacturing.
8(a) Sole Source
39 contracts8(a) Sole Source
8(a) Sole Source contracts are awarded directly to a single 8(a)-certified firm without competition. These are available for contracts below certain thresholds and provide a streamlined path for qualified disadvantaged businesses.
HUBZone
HUBZone Set-Aside
HUBZone (Historically Underutilized Business Zone) set-asides are reserved for small businesses located in economically distressed areas. The program stimulates economic development in underserved communities through federal contracting preferences.
HUBZone SS
HUBZone Sole Source
HUBZone Sole Source contracts are awarded without competition to a single HUBZone-certified firm. Available when the contracting officer determines that only one responsible HUBZone firm can fulfill the requirement.
Veteran Programs
SDVOSB
Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Set-Aside
SDVOSB set-asides are reserved for small businesses owned and controlled by service-disabled veterans. The federal government has a 3% contracting goal for SDVOSBs, and these set-asides help veteran entrepreneurs access federal markets.
SDVOSB SS
Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Sole Source
SDVOSB Sole Source contracts provide direct awards to service-disabled veteran-owned businesses without competition, streamlining the procurement process for qualified veteran-owned firms.
VOSB
53 contractsVeteran-Owned Small Business Set-Aside
VOSB set-asides reserve contract opportunities for veteran-owned small businesses. While less common than SDVOSB set-asides, these opportunities support the broader veteran business community.
VOSB SS
Veteran-Owned Small Business Sole Source
VOSB Sole Source contracts are awarded directly to veteran-owned small businesses without competition, providing a streamlined procurement path for qualified veteran entrepreneurs.
Women-Owned Programs
WOSB
52 contractsWomen-Owned Small Business Set-Aside
WOSB set-asides are restricted to women-owned small businesses in industries where women are substantially underrepresented. The program helps level the playing field for women entrepreneurs in federal contracting.
EDWOSB
Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business Set-Aside
EDWOSB set-asides provide contracting opportunities for women-owned small businesses whose owners are economically disadvantaged. These contracts are available in both underrepresented and substantially underrepresented industries.
Native American Programs
ISBEE
Indian Small Business Economic Enterprise Set-Aside
ISBEE set-asides support Indian-owned small businesses through dedicated federal contracting opportunities, particularly for work on or near Indian lands managed by the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
IEE
Indian Economic Enterprise Set-Aside
IEE set-asides reserve opportunities for Indian Economic Enterprises, supporting economic development in tribal communities through federal procurement preferences.
Buy Indian
Buy Indian Set-Aside (Civilian)
Buy Indian civilian set-asides are authorized under the Buy Indian Act and reserve contracting opportunities at the Department of Interior and Indian Health Service for Indian-owned businesses.
Geographic Programs
Set-aside taxonomy from SBA, SAM.gov set-aside codes, and FAR Part 19. Contract counts from SAM.gov + USAspending. See all data sources.
Set-aside contract counts last refreshed . Program eligibility rules tracked via SBA + agency announcements.