The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Historically Underutilized Business Zones (HUBZone) Program fuels small business growth in HUBZones with a goal of awarding at least 3% of federal contract dollars to HUBZone-certified companies each year. So if your small business is in a HUBZone, then you may be eligible to apply for program, which allows businesses to compete for certain government contracts.
HUBZone Program Benefits
The government limits competition for certain contracts to businesses in HUBZones. 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 for which they qualify.
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 (CDC), an agricultural cooperative, an Alaska-Native corporation, a Native-Hawaiian organization or a Native-American 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).
Apply to Get Certified as a HUBZone Small Business
Before you can participate in the HUBZone program, you must be certified by SBA. Review the top tips for HUBZone certification tip sheet and take these steps to get HUBZone-certified. You can also find information about the program and eligibility guidelines in SBA’s latest FAQ:
Make sure you have a SAM.gov account.
Make sure you have a general login system account.
Apply for HUBZone certification using the general login system. Log in, and select access and then HUBZone before completing the prompts.
Check your email (including spam folder) for time-sensitive instructions to electronically verify your application within two business days.
Submit all requested supporting documentation within three business days; your submission cannot be assigned for eligibility review until all required documents are submitted. Be prepared to respond to requests for additional information from the HUBZone team within five business days. Failure to do so may result in a decline or withdraw of your application.
Check that your status was updated in DSBS and SAM. Within 48 hours of your approval, SBA will automatically update your status in DSBS and SAM.
Read the instructions from the general login system carefully to make sure you provide all the necessary information.
For more information please visit sba.gov/federal-contracting/contracting-assistance-programs/hubzone-program#section-header-4 and preview-maps.certify.sba.gov/hubzone/map#center=44.722800,-103.249700&zoom=4.
Source: U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)