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Disadvantaged Businesses

As you may already know, disadvantaged businesses can compete for certain federal contracting opportunities. You qualify for these specific opportunities if you "self-certify" your business as:

  • Veteran-owned

  • Woman-owned

  • Minority-owned

  • Owned by a person with disabilities

Collectively, these characteristics identify what is called a disadvantaged business. When you register your business in the Central Contractor Registration (CCR), you may also self-identify as belonging to one or more of these groups.

In the past, SBA managed the Small Disadvantaged Business Certification (SDB) program, which allowed business owners to certify their businesses as disadvantaged in order to compete for certain federal contracting opportunities. The SBD program was discontinued on October 1, 2008, and replaced with the self-certification process.

In addition to self-identying your business as disadvantaged, the federal government has programs that help small businesses owned, operated, and actively managed by women, minority group members, veterans or persons with disabilities compete in the marketplace.

Visit these links to learn more about these programs:

  • SBA's 8(a) Business Development Program provides assistance services that help small, disadvantaged businesses gain access the federal procurement market.

  • SBA's HUBZone Program helps small businesses in urban and rural communities gain preferential access to federal procurement opportunities. These preferences go to small businesses that obtain HUBZone certification in part by employing staff who live in a HUBZone. The company must also maintain a "principal office" in one of these specially designated areas.

  • WomenBiz.gov
    Resources to help women-owned businesses find and bid on federal government contracting opportunities.

  • Contract Assistance for Women Business Owners
    Tips and advice from SBA to help women-owned businesses bid on federal contracting opportunities.

  • VetBiz.gov
    Provides general business assistance, federal contracting assistance and other outreach services to help veteran-owned businesses.

Related Articles:
People with Disabilities
Women-Owned Businesses
Veteran-Owned Businesses
Related Success Stories:
Woman-Owned Minority-owned Business Benefits from 8(a) Program
Veteran-owned Business Receives Access to Start-up Capital
Veteran-owned Business Receives Patriot Express Loan, Contracting Opportunities
Service-disabled Veteran Named Small Business Person of the Year
Service-disabled Veteran Small Business Owner Named 2008 Small Business Person of the Year
Service-disabled Veteran Small Business Owner Receives 7(a) Loan for Start-up Capital
8(a) Certified Business Benefits From Faith-based and Community Initiative Program, Receives 7(a) Loan, Surety Bond

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