Total Small Business Set-Aside
Federal acquisitions reserved for small businesses by SBA size standard. The largest single set-aside category by dollars.
Authority: FAR 19.502 / 13 CFR 121
Top agencies using the Small Business set-aside
| Agency | Actions | Obligated (12mo) |
|---|---|---|
| Department of Veterans Affairs | 639 | $1.90B |
| Department of Defense | 100 | $478.63M |
| Department of Agriculture | 8 | $244.01M |
| Department of State | 13 | $160.97M |
| Agency for International Development | 1 | $150.00M |
| General Services Administration | 173 | $88.63M |
| Department of Homeland Security | 17 | $70.79M |
| Department of Health and Human Services | 6 | $49.01M |
Eligibility checklist
- Small business by SBA size standard for the contract's NAICS
- Active SAM.gov registration
- Self-represent as small in SAM.gov for the relevant NAICS
- No additional certification required (size is self-certified at offer)
How to get certified
- Verify your NAICS-by-NAICS size status. Each NAICS has its own size standard (revenue or employee count). Confirm in SAM.gov.
- Self-represent in SAM.gov. Update your entity NAICS list and small-business representations.
- Filter SAM.gov solicitations. Use 'Total Small Business Set-Aside' filter on SAM.gov to see eligible opportunities.
Recommended NAICS
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FAQ
Do I need a certification to compete on small-business set-asides?
No. Small business size is self-certified in SAM.gov per NAICS. The contracting officer relies on your representation. Misrepresentation has serious consequences (False Claims Act, debarment).
What's a 'partial set-aside'?
Some contracts split into a small-business reserve and an unrestricted portion. The CO sets aside a portion (often 50%+) for small business; the rest is full-and-open. Common in IDIQ and BPA awards.
Rule of two?
FAR 19.502-2(b): if the CO has a reasonable expectation that offers will be received from at least two responsible small businesses at fair market prices, the contract must be set aside for small business.