At what point is a business no longer considered a small business?
When it exceeds the SBA size standard for its primary NAICS code, measured by average annual receipts or employee count.
A business is no longer considered small when it exceeds the SBA size standard for its primary NAICS code, usually measured by average annual receipts or number of employees over a defined period. Size standards vary widely by industry, so you may be small under one NAICS and large under another at the same time. Once you outgrow the applicable threshold, you lose eligibility for small-business set-asides in that code, though you can continue to compete in full and open procurements.
Getting this classification right is critical because it drives your eligibility for small business programs and set-asides. GovCon in a Box helps you decode these rules in practical terms, map your revenues and staffing to the correct NAICS thresholds, and align your SAM profile and capability narrative to the small business categories that create the strongest pathway into federal contracting opportunities.
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.