Programs and eligibility | GSA

Programs and eligibility | GSA
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Programs and eligibility
Small business programs are designed to create opportunity but navigating eligibility requirements can feel overwhelming. Our commitment is to help your business understand the available programs, their intended audience, and the qualifications required.
Find the right program for your business
We are committed to helping small businesses compete for federal contracts.
In many cases, federal contracts are
“set-aside” specifically for small businesses
. This means only small businesses can compete for those opportunities.
For contracts above the micro-purchase threshold, agencies are required to set them aside when there is a reasonable expectation of obtaining offers from
two or more responsible
small business
concerns that are competitive in terms of fair market prices, quality, and delivery
.
Some opportunities are also reserved for businesses that qualify for specific programs, including:
HUBZone businesses
Service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses, or SDVOSB
Women-owned small businesses, or WOSB
8(a) small disadvantaged businesses
Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer programs, or SBIR and STTR
Depending on the situation, contracts may be:
Competed among small businesses
Reserved for a specific program
Awarded directly to a qualified small business
These programs are designed to expand opportunities and increase participation across all types of small businesses.
Pursuing the certifications
that are applicable to your small business will increase your visibility to us and other government agencies. Annually,
we have goals
to award individual prime contracting and subcontracting dollars to small businesses.
HUBZone program
The primary goal of the HUBZone program is to stimulate economic growth, increase employment opportunities, and encourage capital investment in historically underutilized business zones.
When seeking status as a HUBZone small business concern, the Small Business Administration, or SBA, will:
Determine your status pursuant to
13 CFR part 126
Designate your business as such in its
small business search
, with the designation also appearing in
SAM.gov
To qualify for
the HUBZone program
, your business typically must:
Be a small business according to
SBA size standards
Be at least 51% owned and controlled by U.S. citizens, a Community Development Corporation, an agricultural cooperative, an Alaska Native corporation, a Native Hawaiian organization, or an Indian tribe
Have your principal office
located in a HUBZone
Have at least 35% of your employees
living in a HUBZone
VOSB and SDVOSB program
The veteran-owned and service-disabled
veteran-owned small business
programs are designed to assist eligible veteran-owned businesses in winning federal contracts.
When seeking status as a VOSB or SDVOSB small business concern, the SBA will:
Determine your status pursuant to
13 CFR part 128
Designate your business as such in its
small business search
, with the designation also appearing in
SAM.gov
.
To qualify for
the VOSB or SDVOSB program
, your business typically must:
Be a small business according to SBA size standards
Be identified by the VA as a veteran or service-disabled veteran
Be at least 51% owned and controlled by one or more veterans for certification as a VOSB
Be at least 51% owned and controlled by one or more veterans rated as service-disabled by the VA for certification as a SDVOSB
Otherwise comply with the eligibility requirements that can be found in this
final rule published in the Federal Register
For those veterans who are permanently and totally disabled and unable to manage the daily business operations of their business, their business may still qualify if their spouse or appointed, permanent caregiver is assisting in that management
WOSB Program
The primary goal of the
women-owned small business
program is to level the playing field for women business owners and ensure they have an equal opportunity to participate in federal contracting.
When seeking status as a WOSB small business concern, the SBA will:
Determine your status pursuant to
13 CFR part 127
Designate your business as such in its
small business search,
with the designation also appearing in
SAM.gov
.
To qualify for
the WOSB program
, your business typically must:
Be a small business according to
SBA size standards
Be at least 51% owned and controlled by women who are U.S. citizens
Have women manage day-to-day operations who also make long-term decisions
Satisfy additional requirements in order to qualify as an EDWOSB within the program
8(a) Program
The 8(a) program provides nine years of targeted assistance — including training, counseling, and mentorship — to increase the ability of these businesses to win federal, sole-source, and set aside contracts.
When seeking status as an 8(a) small business concern, the SBA will:
Determine your status pursuant to
13 CFR part 124
Designate your business as such in its
small business search,
with the designation also appearing in
SAM.gov
.
To qualify for
the 8(a) program
, your business typically must:
Be a small business according to
SBA size standards
Not have previously participated in the 8(a) program
Be at least 51% owned and controlled by U.S. citizens who are socially and economically disadvantaged
Meet certain net worth, adjusted gross income, and asset limitations
Demonstrate good character and the potential for success such as having been in business for two years
Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer programs
If you develop innovative technology, then consider the
SBIR and STTR programs
. The SBIR and STTR mission is to foster a culture of innovation in the United States by providing technology-focused entrepreneurs, startups, and small businesses with funding to develop their ideas and a pathway to commercialization.
How the programs work
Headed by SBA, SBIR and STTR funding is granted through many different participating agencies across the federal government. We do not fund SBIR or STTR programs directly but we do sometimes award and administer
Phase I/II/III
work on behalf of clients in other federal agencies via our
Assisted Acquisition Service
. Phases include:
Phase I — Feasibility research
Phase II — Prototype development
Phase III — Commercialization - can transition to federal contracts
Benefits:
Non-dilutive funding — no equity given up
Federal validation of your technology
Pathway to procurement
If you still have questions or want to talk about programs and eligibility, contact one of our
small business specialists
for more assistance.
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Last updated: Apr 21, 2026
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