Federal agencies are required to steer a share of their spending to small businesses, and a large slice of that flows through set-aside programs: competitions reserved for firms that hold a specific status or certification. Knowing which programs you qualify for is the first move in any capture plan, because it determines which opportunities you can win without competing against the whole market. This free self-check walks through the core eligibility gates (small-business size, veteran and service-disabled status, woman ownership and economic disadvantage, 8(a) eligibility, and HUBZone location) and maps your answers to the programs worth pursuing, along with the official registration or certification step for each.

This is guidance, not an eligibility determination. Only the SBA and certifying agencies can confirm your status. Use the results to focus your paperwork, then verify against the official sources linked in each result.

Which set-asides can you compete for?

Six quick questions. No sign-up, nothing leaves your browser.

1. Is your business "small" under the SBA size standard for your primary NAICS code? Size is set per NAICS code, by employee count or by 3-year average receipts. Not sure? Check your code on our NAICS pages or SBA's size tool below.
2. Is your business at least 51% owned and controlled by one or more veterans?
2a. Is that veteran owner service-disabled (a VA-rated service-connected disability)?
3. Is your business at least 51% owned and controlled by one or more women (U.S. citizens)?
3a. Is the woman owner economically disadvantaged (limited personal net worth, income, and assets per SBA thresholds)? A "Yes" can add the EDWOSB program on top of WOSB.
4. Is your business at least 51% owned by a socially and economically disadvantaged individual? 8(a) is for firms owned by individuals who are socially and economically disadvantaged. Some groups are presumed socially disadvantaged; others document it. Economic thresholds also apply.
5. Is your principal office located in a HUBZone, and do at least 35% of your employees live in a HUBZone? HUBZone = Historically Underutilized Business Zone. Check an address on the SBA HUBZone map linked in your result.

Your likely set-aside programs

Guidance only, not a legal eligibility determination. Set-aside rules turn on exact ownership, control, size, and (for some programs) certification facts that only the SBA and contracting officers can confirm. Always verify against the official source for each program before you pursue or self-certify on an opportunity.
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