Answer
What is a set-aside contract?
A set-aside is a contract the government reserves for competition only among a specific group of small businesses, such as 8(a), HUBZone, WOSB, or SDVOSB firms.
Federal agencies have goals for awarding a share of contracts to small businesses. To meet them, they 'set aside' opportunities so that only qualifying firms can compete - reducing the field and giving small businesses a better shot.
Common categories include total small business, 8(a) (disadvantaged), HUBZone, Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB), and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB). Most require an SBA certification.
If you qualify for a set-aside program, prioritize those opportunities - you're competing against a much smaller, more comparable group than in a full-and-open procurement.
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