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Set-aside eligibility checker

Many government contracts are reserved for certain small businesses: women-owned, veteran-owned, service-disabled veteran-owned, 8(a) and HUBZone firms. Answer a few quick questions to see which set-aside programs you may qualify for, and how many open contracts are reserved for them today.

Your business

0 of 5 answered
  1. 1. Is your business small for your industry?

    SBA sets a size limit per NAICS code, usually by average yearly revenue for service businesses. Most local cleaning companies qualify.

  2. 2. Is the business at least 51% owned and run by women?

    The women must own it and control day-to-day management.

  3. 3. Is it at least 51% owned and run by veterans?

    One or more veterans must own and control the business.

  4. 4. Is your main office in a HUBZone, with at least 35% of staff living in one?

    HUBZones are historically underutilized areas. Check your address on SBA's HUBZone map.

  5. 5. Are the owners socially and economically disadvantaged?

    This is the core requirement for SBA's 8(a) program, along with being in business for at least 2 years in most cases.

  • Small Business set-asides

    No certification needed. You self-certify as small in your SAM.gov registration.

    0 open janitorial contracts reserved for this today

  • Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB)

    Get certified through SBA's WOSB program (certify.sba.gov).

    0 open janitorial contracts reserved for this today

  • Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB)

    Certified through SBA's VetCert. Mostly used by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

    0 open janitorial contracts reserved for this today

  • HUBZone

    Apply through SBA after checking your address on the HUBZone map.

    0 open janitorial contracts reserved for this today

  • 8(a) Business Development

    Apply to SBA's 8(a) program. It's a 9-year program with mentoring and sole-source contracts.

    0 open janitorial contracts reserved for this today

  • Economically Disadvantaged WOSB (EDWOSB)

    Certified through SBA. EDWOSB firms can also compete for WOSB set-asides.

    0 open janitorial contracts reserved for this today

  • Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned (SDVOSB)

    Get certified through SBA's veteran certification program (VetCert).

    0 open janitorial contracts reserved for this today

A quick guide, not legal advice. Final eligibility is decided by SBA and the contracting officer.

Why set-asides matter

On an open contract you compete with every company in the country. On a set-aside, only qualifying firms can bid, so your odds go up. Read set-asides explained for each program in detail.

We'll find the contracts reserved for you

Add your certifications once. Every morning we score new contracts higher when they're set aside for you.

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Frequently asked questions

What is a set-aside contract?

A government contract that only certain types of small businesses are allowed to bid on, such as small businesses in general, women-owned, veteran-owned, 8(a) or HUBZone firms.

Do I need a certification to bid on set-asides?

For total small business set-asides you self-certify in SAM.gov. For WOSB, EDWOSB, SDVOSB, VOSB, HUBZone and 8(a) set-asides you generally need SBA certification.

Can I qualify for more than one set-aside?

Yes. A woman-owned firm in a HUBZone could compete for small business, WOSB and HUBZone set-asides, for example.

Is this checker the final word on eligibility?

No. It's a quick guide. SBA decides certification, and each solicitation states its own rules.

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