Contracting assistance programs

Find out how to certify your small business, and qualify for contracts reserved for firms that meet certain socio-economic conditions.

Contracting assistance program benefits

The federal government uses special programs to help small businesses win at least at 23% of all federal contracting dollars each year. SBA provides several programs to help small businesses win these federal contracts. Participating in these programs helps small businesses:

  • Win a fair share of federal contracts
  • Qualify for exclusive set-aside and sole-source contracts
  • Partner with established contractors to win contracts
  • Get business mentoring and education to learn how federal contracting works

  • Small Disadvantaged Business

    Each year, the federal government awards about 10% of all federal contract dollars to Small Disadvantaged Businesses (SDBs).
    Register as an SDB

  • Women-Owned Small Business Federal Contract program

    The federal government's goal is to award at least 5% of all federal contracting dollars to women-owned small businesses (WOSBs) each year.
    Register as a WOSB

  • Veteran contracting assistance programs

    Learn about federal programs that help veteran-owned small businesses (VOSBs) access federal contract awards and surplus personal property.
    Register as a VOSB

  • 8(a) Business Development program

    Federal contracting and training program for experienced small business owners who are socially and economically disadvantaged.
    Register as an 8(a) small business

  • SBA Mentor-Protégé program

    Your small business can learn from an experienced government contractor through SBA's Mentor-Protégé program.
    Apply to be a mentor or protégé

  • Joint ventures

    Joint ventures allow certain businesses to compete together for government contracts reserved for small businesses.
    Set up a joint venture

  • HUBZone program

    The HUBZone program fuels small business growth in historically underutilized business zones with a goal of awarding at least 3% of federal contract dollars to HUBZone-certified companies each year.
    Certify as a HUBZone small business

  • Natural Resource Sales Assistance program

    The government sells large amounts of natural resources and surplus property. SBA works with federal agencies to channel a fair share to small businesses.
    Participate in federal resource sales

Program structure

Small business contracting goals

The government works to make sure small businesses get at least 23% of all federal contracting dollars.

Additionally, the government tries to award a certain percentage of all federal prime contracting dollars to small businesses that meet certain socio-economic conditions.

Small business category Contracting dollar award goal

Women-owned small business

5%

Small disadvantaged business

13%

Service-disabled veteran-owned small business

5%

Small business in a HUBZone

3%

For some large contracts that can’t be awarded directly to small businesses, the government requires a small business subcontracting plan as part of the award. A small business subcontracting plan directs the prime contractor to subcontract out parts of the award to small businesses. A subcontracting plan is required when these conditions are met:

  • The contract is expected to exceed $750,000 ($1.5 million for construction).
  • There are capable small businesses who could do subcontract work at a fair market value, without significantly disrupting performance

The rules that govern subcontracting plans are set forth in Subpart 19.7 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR).

Set-asides

To help provide a level playing field for small businesses, the government limits competition for certain contracts to small businesses. Those contracts are called “small business set-asides,” and they help small businesses compete for and win federal contracts.

Some set-asides are open to any small business, but some are open only to small businesses who participate in SBA contracting assistance programs.

How to participate in contracting assistance programs

To participate in any of SBA’s small business contracting assistance programs, you’ll first need to qualify as a small business. SBA’s size standards determine whether or not your business qualifies as small.

Most of the socio-economic programs require some form of certification. Many programs use the certifications.sba.gov site to let you certify or do a preliminary check to see if you’re qualified.

However, each program has its own standards and process for certification, so make sure to read carefully.

Need help?

Get help with specific contracting assistance programs. For additional assistance, contact the Office of Government Contracting and Business Development.