What does "set aside" mean in government contracts?
The government reserves a contract opportunity for a specific category of businesses rather than opening competition to all vendors.
"Set aside" means the government reserves a contract opportunity for a specific category of businesses rather than opening competition to all vendors. The most common is a small business set-aside, but agencies also set aside work for programs like 8(a), WOSB, SDVOSB, HUBZone, or combinations of these. Only firms that qualify under the chosen category can compete as primes, which can significantly improve win odds for eligible companies.
Identifying where and when these set-asides appear is critical to an effective federal strategy. GovCon in a Box helps by flagging set-aside indicators in RFIs and opportunities, showing you where your certifications give you an edge, and guiding your outreach to small business specialists who influence those decisions.
GovCon in a Box can help
Our tools help you find set-aside opportunities that match your certifications, connect with teaming partners, and build a capture pipeline focused on winnable work.