Does Your Business Qualify For Small Business Government Contracts?

Does your business qualify for small business government contracts?

     Three Questions to Ask Yourself:

1. 1.       Are you a small business?

Is your business:

• Organized for profit
• Located in the U.S.
• Operated primarily within the United States or making a significant contribution to the U.S. economy through payment of taxes or use of American products, materials or labor
• Independently owned and operated
• Not dominant in the field of operation in which it is bidding for government contracts
• A sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation or other legal form?

1. 2.       What is the size standard for your business?

Size standards are used to determine whether a business is small.  Size standards vary depending upon the industry.  To determine the size standards that might apply to your business, go to http://www.sba.gov/content/table-small-business-size-standards.  If your business does not exceed the size standard then you are an eligible small business.  To find out more about these requirements and other size standard information, go to www.sba.gov/size.

1. 3.      Do you fall under a specific certification?

The SBA has outlined several specific certifications that provide businesses that qualify with benefits within the procurement process.  These certifications are divided into two categories: SBA-Certified and Self-Certified.  The SBA-Certified Programs were created to assist specific groups in securing federal contracts and can only be granted by the SBA.

You can determine if your business meets the requirements of the Self-Certified programs by referring to the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR).  To self-certify as a small business, register in the System for Award Management (SAM) at www.sam.gov.  When completing the General Information section about your business in SAM, self-certify that you meet the federal government’s definition of a small business.  For more information, visit http://www.sba.gov/content/small-business-certification-0.

Apply for the certification programs for which you qualify to take full advantage of federal contracting opportunities.  Federal agencies have a strong incentive to fulfill specific contracting goals for the socio-economic categories in addition to the overall goal awarding 23 percent of all contracting dollars to small businesses.

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