The federal government is legally required to award 23% of prime contract dollars to small businesses — over $160 billion per year. Set-asides restrict competition to your category. GovScout Pro finds them daily across every program type.
A federal set-aside restricts who can bid on a contract. Instead of competing against every business in America, you compete only against others in your certification category. Fewer competitors, better odds, same taxpayer dollars.
The Rule of Two requires contracting officers to set aside any contract where at least two qualified small businesses are expected to submit offers at fair market prices. This means set-asides are triggered automatically — you don't have to ask for them.
Set-asides stack with socioeconomic certifications. A total small business set-aside already narrows the field, but an SDVOSB or 8(a) set-aside narrows it even further — sometimes to a handful of competitors.
Each program has different eligibility requirements and different spending goals. Most small businesses qualify for at least one — many qualify for several.
Stack these programs where you qualify. Most small businesses leave money on the table by holding only one certification when they could hold two or three.
| Program | Spending Goal | Sole Source? | Price Preference? | Time-Limited? | Stackable? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small Business (Total) | 23% | No | No | No | Yes |
| SDVOSB | 3% | Under thresholds | No | No | Yes |
| VOSB | VA targets | VA only | No | No | Yes |
| 8(a) | 5% | Yes ($4.5M / $7M) | No | 9 years | Yes |
| HUBZone | 3% | Under thresholds | 10% preference | No (renew annually) | Yes |
| WOSB / EDWOSB | 5% | No | No | No | Yes |
Enter your certifications and NAICS codes once. GovScout Pro monitors SAM.gov across all applicable set-aside categories and delivers matching opportunities every morning.
Hold SDVOSB and HUBZone? Tell GovScout Pro both. It monitors for any set-aside where you're eligible — no redundant alerts, complete coverage.
New opportunities hit your inbox or Telegram every morning. Deadline, agency, set-aside type, and NAICS code included at a glance.
Ask GovScout Pro's AI to read a solicitation and tell you: how hard is this, who are likely competitors, what past performance fits, and how to position your bid.
Connect your SAM.gov API key and GovScout Pro pulls richer contract data — including contract history, incumbent details, and socioeconomic set-aside history per agency.