What is a small business set-aside?

A set-aside reserves a contract, or part of one, for small businesses only. This reduces competition and helps agencies meet small business contracting goals.

What set-aside programs exist?

Major programs include general small business set-asides, 8(a) Business Development, HUBZone, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business, and Women-Owned Small Business. Each has specific eligibility requirements.

How do I find set-aside contracts?

Search Civic AI with set-aside filters or plain-English queries like small business IT contracts due this month. Civic AI surfaces set-aside type in search results and Scout.

Do states have small business programs too?

Yes. Many states run their own small, minority, women, and veteran-owned business certification programs separate from federal set-asides.

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Search federal small business set-asides — 8(a), HUBZone, SDVOSB, WOSB, and general small business — with plain-English queries, fit filters, and agency context.

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Civic AI search results for small business set-aside opportunities

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Set-aside search

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Skip portal syntax. Search in plain English for set-aside type, agency, NAICS, or place of performance — and see deadlines and sources on every result.

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Small business set-aside search results in Civic AI

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Who uses small business set-asides?

Built for teams that need faster set-aside discovery and clearer pursuit decisions.

Small business owners

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Capture managers

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BD consultants

Monitor programs and agencies for clients without checking every portal by hand.

FAQ

Questions teams ask before getting started.

What is a small business set-aside?: A set-aside reserves a contract, or part of one, for small businesses only. This reduces competition and helps agencies meet small business contracting goals.
What set-aside programs exist?: Major programs include general small business set-asides, 8(a) Business Development, HUBZone, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business, and Women-Owned Small Business. Each has specific eligibility requirements.
How do I find set-aside contracts?: Search Civic AI with set-aside filters or plain-English queries like small business IT contracts due this month. Civic AI surfaces set-aside type in search results and Scout.
Do states have small business programs too?: Yes. Many states run their own small, minority, women, and veteran-owned business certification programs separate from federal set-asides.

Find set-aside opportunities

Filter by set-aside type and small business programs, then research agencies actively awarding to firms like yours.

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