Sell2Gov helps women owned small businesses and other industries with set aside programs. Need help with women owned small business certification? Visit http://www.sell2gov.com/small-business-set-aside-program/ or Call us at 502.452.6851

1. Sell2gov - Small Business Set Aside Procurement Preference Program
Small Business Administration’s 8(a) Program
The Small Business Administration (SBA) 8(a) Program offers mentoring, procurement and
financial assistance and training. It does NOT guarantee that you will receive federal contracts.
The program is divided into a Developmental stage (up to 4-years) and a Transitional stage (up
to 5 years). As a general rule, to be considered for this program your business must meet the
following criteria:








Social Disadvantage: Subjected to racial or ethnic prejudice, or cultural bias.
Economic Disadvantage: Ability to compete in the free enterprise system has been
impaired due to diminished capital and credit opportunities.
Majority ownership of the business (51%)
Full-time management operation of the business
Meet specific small business size standards
In operation for more than two years
Sound management experience
Products or services are suited to federal contracts
An application checklist can help you to determine if your business meets the 8(a) criteria.

2. Woman-Owned Small Business
When you register at the System for Award Management (SAM) you may self-certify that you
are a Woman-Owned Small Business (WOSB). Federal Agencies have a goal to award 5% of
contracting dollars to women-owned small businesses.
In addition to this self-certification, the SBA has determined that women-owned small
businesses in specific industries are under-represented in the federal contracting marketplace.
A list of applicable NAICS codes indicates which industries are eligible for this program.
In order to be eligible, the woman owner must show:










Majority ownership of the business (51%)
Unconditional ownership and control
US citizenship. Permanent Residents or foreign nationals are not eligible
Control of management & daily business operations.
Highest officer position in the company
Sufficient managerial experience. (Specific technical expertise is not necessary, as long
as the woman owner has ultimate managerial & supervisory control)
Full-time management of the business
Serve as general partner in a partnership, with control over all partnership decisions
Serve as a management member in an LLC, with control over all decisions
Control the board of directors in a Company, own at least 51% of voting stock, and be on
the board of directors
Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Businesses (EDWOSB) should also have:



personal net worth less than $750,000
adjusted gross yearly income (averaged over 3 years) under $350,000
assets (including home & business) with a fair market value under $6 million
Documentation should be submitted to the SBA's Woman-Owned Small Business repository
Historically Under-Utilized Business Zones – HUB-Zones
This program encourages economic development in Historically Underutilized Business Zones,
or HUB-Zones. In order to qualify, a small business must show:





The business is located in a HUB-Zone (defined by zip code).
Ownership and control by a US Citizen
At least 35% of employees must live in a HUB-Zone area.
The company’s principal office must be located in the HUB-Zone.
Existing businesses may move to a HUB-Zone area, as long as the other criteria are met.

3. Contracts can be 100% set-aside for HUB-Zone businesses. Alternatively a solicitation may be
issued as ‘full and open’ (open to all business types), and the HUB-Zone firm can be awarded the
contract, even if their bid is up to 10% higher than an equally qualified large firm. This is known
as the ‘Price Evaluation Preference’ clause.
Veteran-Owned and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has authority for Veteran-Owned and ServiceDisabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Program. The VA’s Verification Assistant Program
will help you to understand the process. A Veteran served in the active military, naval or air
service and was discharged other than dishonorably. A Service-Disabled Veteran’s disability was
incurred or aggravated in the line of duty in that service.
A Veteran or Service-Disabled Veteran must show:




Majority ownership of the business (51%)
Direct, unconditional ownership and control
Control of management & daily business operations
Highest officer position in the company
Need help with women owned small business certification? Visit www.sell2gov.com or Call us
at 502.452.6851