Small Business Contracts

A small business set-aside reserves federal contracts exclusively for small businesses meeting SBA size standards, providing preferential access to government procurement opportunities. The federal government aims to award 23% of prime contracts to small businesses.

Qualification depends on the NAICS code assigned to the acquisition and the current SBA size standard, which may be based on average annual receipts or employees. Affiliation rules can change the calculation, so verify the current standard and rules before representing your status.

Small business status is self-certified in SAM.gov based on SBA size standards. No formal certification is required, but you must truthfully represent your status. False claims can result in penalties and debarment.

Use the SBA Size Standards Tool at sba.gov to look up your primary NAICS code. Size standards are reviewed periodically and may change. Always verify current standards before bidding on set-aside contracts.