HUBZone Program
A federal set-aside program for small businesses located in Historically Underutilized Business Zones with the majority of employees living in those zones. Provides set-aside contracts and a 10% price evaluation preference on full-and-open competitions.
Who qualifies
Small businesses that maintain a principal office in a designated HUBZone, where at least 35% of employees reside in a HUBZone, that are at least 51% owned and controlled by US citizens, and that meet SBA size standards. HUBZone designations include qualified census tracts, qualified non-metropolitan counties, certain Indian reservations, and qualified base closure areas. Boundaries change — the SBA HUBZone map is the authoritative source.
How to certify
Apply at certify.SBA.gov. Requires documentation of principal office location, employee residency, ownership, and small-business status. SBA conducts a desk review and sometimes a site visit. Recertification is required every three years and on any material change (move, ownership shift, etc.). Annual maintenance attestation also required.
What it gets you
Eligibility to compete for HUBZone set-aside contracts (restricted to HUBZone-certified firms). A 10% price evaluation preference in full-and-open competitions (your priced bid is compared with a 10% reduction). Sole-source awards up to $4 million ($7 million for manufacturing). Counts toward agency small-business goals.