[Originally published September 30th 2021; Updated June 2nd 2022]
Small business owners: If your company is located in a designated Historically Underutilized Business zone, it may be eligible for set-aside government contracts.
Program benefits
The government limits competition for certain contracts to businesses in historically underutilized business zones. It also gives preferential consideration to those businesses in full and open competition.
Joining the HUBZone program makes your business eligible to compete for the program’s set-aside contracts. HUBZone-certified businesses also get a 10% price evaluation preference in full and open contract competitions.
HUBZone-certified businesses can still compete for contract awards under other socio-economic programs they qualify for.
HUBZone program qualifications
To qualify for the HUBZone program, your business must:
- Be a small business according to SBA size standards
- Be at least 51% owned and controlled by U.S. citizens, a Community Development Corporation, an agricultural cooperative, an Alaska Native corporation, a Native Hawaiian organization, or an Indian tribe
- Have its principal office located in a HUBZone
- Have at least 35% of its employees living in a HUBZone
You can find the full qualification criteria in Title 13 Part 126 Subpart B of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). You can also get a preliminary assessment of whether you qualify at the SBA’s Certify website.
Learn more
Get the full details about this program, including the information above as well as Program changes and improvements, and how to Apply to get certified as a HUBZone small business and Maintain HUBZone certification on the SBA’s HUBZone Program page.