Small Business Government Contracts
Find federal set-aside contracts for small businesses — 8(a), HUBZone, SDVOSB, WOSB, and small business set-asides with less competition.
Small business set-asides are one of the most effective paths into government contracting. Agencies are required to meet small business spending goals, and set-aside contracts limit competition to qualifying firms — meaning fewer bidders and better odds for businesses still building past performance.
TL;DR: Certify your business in SAM.gov, identify set-aside programs you qualify for, search and alert on set-aside opportunities, and start with contracts sized for your capacity.
Federal set-aside programs
| Program | Who qualifies |
|---|---|
| Small Business (SB) | Meets SBA size standards for your NAICS code |
| 8(a) Business Development | Socially and economically disadvantaged owners |
| HUBZone | Business located in a Historically Underutilized Business Zone |
| SDVOSB | Service-disabled veteran-owned (51%+ ownership) |
| WOSB / EDWOSB | Women-owned (economically disadvantaged variant available) |
Each program has certification steps through SAM.gov or the SBA. Read our full federal set-asides guide for eligibility details.
Why set-asides matter for new contractors
- Less competition — only qualified firms can bid
- Agency incentives — contracting officers get credit toward small business goals
- Past performance path — win smaller set-asides, then compete for full-and-open recompetes
- Subcontracting opportunities — prime contractors need small business partners to meet their own goals
Finding set-aside opportunities
Search CivicContracts with set-aside filters:
- "Small business IT contracts due this month"
- "8(a) set-aside professional services from GSA"
- "SDVOSB construction contracts in Texas"
Set up alerts so new set-aside matches come to you automatically.
State and local small business programs
States run parallel certification programs — often with in-state preferences that favor local small and disadvantaged businesses. These are separate from federal programs but follow a similar strategy: certify, search, and bid where you have an edge.
See state & local contract coverage for nationwide portal data.
Build your capability statement
Set-aside wins often come down to fit and responsiveness. A strong capability statement that highlights your certifications, NAICS codes, and past performance helps agencies and prime contractors find you.
Next steps
- Search set-aside contracts
- Read how to find government contracts
- Explore federal contracting fundamentals
Frequently asked questions
- What is a small business set-aside?
- A set-aside reserves a contract (or part of one) for small businesses only, reducing competition. Federal agencies have statutory goals to award at least 23% of prime contract dollars to small businesses.
- What set-aside programs exist?
- Major programs include general small business set-asides, 8(a) Business Development, HUBZone, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned (SDVOSB), and Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB). Each has specific eligibility requirements.
- How do I find set-aside contracts?
- Search SAM.gov or CivicContracts with set-aside filters. Look for solicitations marked Small Business, 8(a), HUBZone, SDVOSB, or WOSB. CivicContracts surfaces set-aside type in search results and alerts.
- Do states have small business programs too?
- Yes. Most states run their own small, minority, women, and veteran-owned business certification programs — separate from federal set-asides. See our state and local coverage page for portal details.
Find set-aside opportunities
Filter by set-aside type and small business programs — then research agencies actively awarding to firms like yours.
Search set-aside contracts