Small Business Government Contracting Resources
The federal government is the world's largest buyer, spending over $700 billion annually on contracts and grants. By law, 23% of federal contracting dollars are targeted to small businesses, with additional goals for specific socioeconomic categories. This page is your starting point for navigating the small business programs, certifications, and resources that can help you win federal work.
Whether you are a first-time government contractor or an experienced small business looking to expand, use this hub to find the certifications, training, and tools you need.
Small Business Certification Programs
The federal government operates several certification programs that give small businesses preferential access to contracts through set-asides, sole-source awards, and evaluation preferences. Each program targets a different community and has its own eligibility requirements.
8(a) Business Development Program
Learn more →The SBA 8(a) program is a 9-year business development program for socially and economically disadvantaged small businesses. Participants receive access to sole-source contracts up to $4.5M (services) or $7M (manufacturing), set-aside competitions, mentoring, and management/technical assistance. The program has two phases: a 4-year developmental stage and a 5-year transitional stage with increasing competition.
Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB)
Learn more →SDVOSB certification provides access to set-aside and sole-source contracts for businesses owned and controlled by service-disabled veterans. The VA certifies SDVOSB status through the SBA VetCert program (previously VA CVE). SDVOSB sole-source contracts are available up to $4.5M (services) or $7M (manufacturing).
Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB)
Learn more →The WOSB Federal Contracting Program restricts certain competitions to businesses owned and controlled by women. Set-asides are available in NAICS codes where women-owned businesses are underrepresented. The program includes WOSB and Economically Disadvantaged WOSB (EDWOSB) categories, with EDWOSB eligible for more NAICS codes.
HUBZone Program
Learn more →The Historically Underutilized Business Zone program provides set-aside and sole-source contract access to businesses located in and hiring from economically distressed areas. HUBZone businesses receive a 10% price evaluation preference on full and open competitions. Sole-source contracts are available up to $4.5M (services) or $7M (manufacturing).
Economically Disadvantaged WOSB (EDWOSB)
Learn more →EDWOSB is a subset of the WOSB program with additional economic disadvantage requirements. EDWOSB-eligible NAICS codes include all WOSB-eligible codes plus additional codes where women are substantially underrepresented. The personal net worth limit for EDWOSB qualification is $850,000 (excluding primary residence and business ownership).
SBA Resources and Assistance
The Small Business Administration funds several programs that provide free or low-cost counseling, training, and technical assistance to small businesses pursuing government contracts.
PTAC
PTACs are the single best free resource for government contracting assistance. With ~95 centers nationwide, PTACs provide one-on-one counseling on SAM.gov registration, proposal writing, compliance, and marketing to government buyers. They host workshops, review solicitations with you, and help you navigate the procurement process.
Find a PTAC →SCORE
SCORE provides free mentoring from experienced business professionals, including many with government contracting backgrounds. SCORE mentors can help with business planning, financial management, marketing strategy, and operational challenges. Available in-person and virtually nationwide.
SBDC
SBDCs offer free business consulting and low-cost training. While broader than government contracting, many SBDCs have GovCon specialists who can help with capability statements, market research, accounting system setup, and general business development for government work.
Small Business Set-Aside Thresholds
Federal contracting officers are required to set aside contracts for small business competition when certain conditions are met. Understanding these thresholds helps you identify which opportunities will be set aside and where your certifications provide the most value.
No competition required. Contracting officers can make purchases from any source using a government purchase card. Small businesses should market to cardholders directly.
Automatically reserved exclusively for small business unless the contracting officer determines there is not a reasonable expectation of two or more small business quotes. This is the most accessible market segment for new government contractors.
Contracting officers must conduct market research and set aside for small business if the Rule of Two is met: there is a reasonable expectation that at least two responsible small businesses will submit competitive offers at fair market prices.
8(a), SDVOSB, WOSB/EDWOSB, and HUBZone programs all allow sole-source (non-competitive) awards up to $4.5M for services or $7M for manufacturing when only one qualified firm is available.
Size Standards Overview
SBA establishes size standards for each NAICS code that define the maximum size a business can be and still qualify as "small." Size standards are measured either by average annual revenue (over the last 5 fiscal years) or by number of employees (averaged over the last 24 months), depending on the industry.
Most service industries use revenue-based size standards (typically $8M to $47M), while manufacturing and some other industries use employee-based standards (typically 500 to 1,500 employees). Construction firms typically have size standards between $19.5M and $45M.
Your size is determined at the time of your initial offer (self-certification) for each specific procurement, using the size standard associated with the NAICS code assigned to that solicitation. You may be small under one NAICS code and large under another. Affiliates (companies you control or are controlled by) count toward your size.
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Compare 8(a), SDVOSB, WOSB, HUBZone.
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