Office of Acquisition and Logistics — Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) Contracting
Business Size Determination
According to the Small Business Administration (SBA), a small business defined by the average number of employees over the past 12 months, or the average annual receipts over the past three years. Additional considerations used to define small business concerns include:
- Is organized for profit
- Has a place of business within the United States
- Operates primarily in the US or make significant contribution to the US economy through payment of taxes, or use of American products, materials, or labor
- Is independently owned and operated
- Is not dominant in its field on a national basis
Am I a Small Business Concern?
The SBA has established numerical definitions, or “size standards,” for all for-profit industries based upon NAICS codes. Size standards represent the largest size that a business (including its subsidiaries and affiliates) may be to remain classified as a small business concern.
Since all federal agencies are required to use the SBA size standards, you must select the NAICS code that best describes your business and then determine if your firm meets the size standards for the selected code. A complete listing of NAICS codes for each VA FSS program is available on the individual VA Schedule Programs page.
Complete SBA Form 355 Information on Small Business Size Determination if you are unable to determine your business size. The information provided in this form will be used by the SBA for a size determination of a business seeking assistant available to small businesses under any program administered by the SBA or other federal agency.
Any business classified as “other than a small business” that proposes an offer that will be valued in excess of $650,000 will be required to submit and maintain and acceptable Small Business Subcontracting Plan.
Is a VA FSS Contract Right for My Small Business
Over 70% of all VA FSS contract holders are small businesses. Visit the Prospective Contractors page to determine if a VA FSS Contract is right for your small business.
Your company may be qualified to pursue special programs designed to benefit socioeconomic businesses. Learn more about how the VA utilizes small businesses, the VA’s small business goals, and other small business programs from the VA Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization. Some programs may require an additional certification from the SBA.
While the FSS Service provides training to VA and other government agency customers, including information on the benefits of the Schedules Program, the VA does not promote the use of any company’s specific Schedule contract. Vendors should be aware that obtaining a VA Schedule contract is not a guarantee of sales. Vendors awarded VA Schedule contracts will need to market their supplies and services to government customers.
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