As a contracting officer, it is important for you to understand how to apply the requirements of the HUBZone Program to help certified HUBZone small businesses receive their fair share of contracting opportunities.

To review the basics of the program’s requirements, visit the HUBZone website. Use this link to identify HUBZone certified firms as part of your market research: Search HUBZone Small Business Concerns at DSBS. You can read more about the HUBZone certified small business list in this FAQ section.

Types of HUBZone Contracts

As the contracting officer, you will be responsible for determining what type of HUBZone contracting opportunity to conduct.

• A competitive HUBZone set-aside contract can be awarded if the contracting officer has a reasonable expectation that at least two responsible HUBZone small businesses will submit offers and that the resulting contract can be awarded at a fair market price.

• A sole source HUBZone contract can be awarded if the contracting officer does not have a reasonable expectation that two or more qualified HUBZone small businesses will submit offers, determines that the qualified HUBZone small business is responsible, and determines that the contract can be awarded at a fair price. The government estimate cannot exceed $5.5 million for manufacturing requirements or $3.5 million for all other requirements.

• A full and open competition contract can be awarded with a price evaluation preference. The offer of the HUBZone small business will be considered lower than the offer of a non-HUBZone/non-small business-providing that the offer of the HUBZone small business is not more than 10 percent higher.

Protests

As a contracting officer, you have specific responsibilities during a protest. Learn about what happens during a HUBZone status protest here.

HUBZone Regulations

You can reference the HUBZone regulations in the Title 13 CFR, and FAR Subpart 1913.

Contact Us

HUBZone offers eligibility assistance on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2-3pm ET via toll free number: 1-888-858-2144 access code 3061773#. Participants influence the topics by their questions. HUBZone staff facilitates the discussion by providing the answers and introducing specific topics as time allows. This format offers the opportunity to learn how to maintain eligibility to decrease the possibility of an initial application being declined or being decertified after obtaining the HUBZone certification. If you are seeking status information, need help in resolving technical difficulties, or need individualized assistance please email hubzone@sba.gov or the SBA HUBZone Business Opportunity Specialist you are working with.