A total small business set-aside reserves a contract for businesses that are small under the size standard for the NAICS code in the solicitation. No separate certification is required: you represent your size in SAM.gov and in your offer.
When contracting officers use it
Under the "rule of two" in FAR Part 19, a contracting officer generally sets an acquisition aside when there is a reasonable expectation of offers from at least two responsible small businesses and award at a fair market price. Acquisitions above the micro-purchase threshold up to the simplified acquisition threshold are generally reserved for small business when that test is met.
Who qualifies
- Your business (with its affiliates) is at or under the SBA size standard for the solicitation's NAICS code.
- You are registered in SAM.gov with accurate size representations.
What to watch
- Limitations on subcontracting (FAR 52.219-14): you must keep a required share of the work among yourself and similarly situated small businesses.
- Size protests: competitors can challenge your size, and SBA decides.
- Partial set-asides: sometimes only part of a requirement is reserved.
Learn more: SBA federal contracting · Set-aside programs explained
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Rules change — always check the solicitation and the official sources linked here.