What is a set-aside contract?
A set-aside is a contract reserved for a specific category of small business — such as 8(a), WOSB, SDVOSB, or HUBZone firms. Competition is restricted to qualifying businesses in that category, dramatically reducing the field.
A set-aside reserves a contract for businesses holding a particular small-business status. Because only qualifying firms can bid, set-asides are one of the fastest routes into federal work for newer small businesses.
The main programs are 8(a), Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB/EDWOSB), Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned (SDVOSB), and HUBZone — plus total small business set-asides open to any small firm under the solicitation’s NAICS size standard.
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