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What Is a Small Business?

Small Business (SB):

A concern, including its affiliates, that is independently owned and operated, not dominant in the field of operation in which it is bidding on government contracts (subcontracts) and meets any applicable criteria concerning the number of employees or annual receipts as established by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

Click here for SBA information on Small Business Size Standards.

Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB):

A small business that is self-certified as a small disadvantaged business concern, and is owned by one or more disadvantaged individuals who are socially and economically disadvantaged.

Small Disadvantaged Businesses can also choose to apply for the SBA 8(a) Development Program, which offers managerial, contractual and technical assistance to SDBs.

Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB):

A small business concern that is at least 51% owned by one or more women; or, in the case of any publicly owned business, at least 51% of the stock of which is owned by one or more women; and whose management and daily business operations are controlled by one or more women.

Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone):

The purpose of the HUBZone program is to provide federal contracting assistance for qualified small businesses located in Historically Underutilized Business Zones (HUBZone) in an effort to increase employment opportunities, investment, and economic development in such areas.

Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOB):

A small business concern of which not less than 51% is owned by one or more service-disabled veterans, and the management and daily operations are controlled by one or more service-disabled veterans.

Veteran-Owned Business (VOSB):

A small business concern of which not less than 51% is owned by one or more veterans (defined as a person who served in the active military, naval, or air service, and who was discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable) or, in the case of any publicly-owned business, not less than 51% of the stock is owned by one or more veterans, and the management and daily business operations are controlled by one or more veterans.