Free tool
Small Business Set-Aside Eligibility Checker
Answer a few quick questions and Sam will show you whether you're a small business and which federal set-aside contracts you can bid — 8(a), HUBZone, WOSB, and more — in plain English, with the exact next step for each. No login, instant results.
What is a set-aside?
The federal government reserves a share of its contracts for small businesses — and within that, for specific groups like women-, veteran-, and disadvantaged-owned firms. Those reserved opportunities are called set-asides. Qualifying means you compete in a much smaller pool, often against firms your own size. This checker tells you which programs are worth pursuing; it does not certify you.
- Small Business
- The foundation. If your average annual receipts are at or below the SBA size standard for your NAICS code, you're a small business — no separate certification needed, just self-certify in SAM.gov.
- 8(a)
- A 9-year business development program for firms at least 51% owned by socially and economically disadvantaged US citizens. Opens sole-source and competitive set-asides.
- Check your 8(a) eligibility →
- HUBZone
- For firms whose principal office and at least 35% of employees are in a Historically Underutilized Business Zone. Adds a price-evaluation preference on top of set-asides.
- Check your HUBZone eligibility →
- WOSB / EDWOSB
- Women-Owned Small Business — at least 51% owned and controlled by women. EDWOSB adds an economic-disadvantage test and unlocks more set-aside NAICS codes.
- Check your WOSB / EDWOSB eligibility →
- SDVOSB / VOSB
- Veteran- and service-disabled-veteran-owned small businesses (at least 51% owned and controlled). Now certified governmentwide through SBA VetCert.
Check your eligibility
Your answers stay in your browser — nothing is submitted until you ask to see matching bids.