1. Contracting Officer Podcast Slides
Knowledge & Insights From Contracting Officers

2. What is a Small Business Set-Aside?
Episode 028
What is a Small Business Set-Aside?
Original Air Date: May 24, 2015
Hosts: Kevin Jans & Paul Schauer

3. Formatting notes
Hyperlinks: Blue font indicates hyperlinks – presentation must be in ‘Slide Show’ mode to activate the link
Red bold font indicates a point of emphasis
Green bold font indicates CO’s personal comment or perspective

4. Introduction
Purpose of this podcast: To explain some of the details behind the what, when and why of Small Business Set-Asides.
Agenda:
What are Small Business Set-Asides?
When do these apply?
Why does Government care?
Why does Industry care?

5. When do Small Business Set-Asides happen?
Acquisition Time Zones
(from Podcast Episode 003)
Requirements Zone
Market Research Zone
RFP Zone (proposal zone)
Source Selection Zone
Execution Time Zones
(from Podcast Episode 084)
Kick Off Zone
Performance Zone
Re-compete Zone
Wrap-up Zone

6. Types of Set-Asides
These DO NOT require a separate Justification & Approval (within some limits)
All of them say “MAY” set aside…
Small Business (FAR – Set-Asides for Small Business Concerns)
The “how” is in FAR 19.5 – Set-Asides for Small Business
Section 8(a) Competitions (FAR – Section 8(a) Competition)
HUBZone Small Business Concerns (FAR – Set-Asides for HUBZone Small Business Concerns)

7. Types of Set-asides
SDVSOB (FAR – Set-Asides for Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Concerns)
EDWOSB or WOSB program in FAR and FAR 6.207
Set asides for local firms during a major disaster or emergency (FAR 6.208)
To companies ‘residing in’ or “doing business primarily in’ the affected areas

8. Additional Considerations
Size standards for Small Businesses, per NAICS Code
Helps “thin the herd” and get to one awardee
Policy: FAR 19.2
“maximize practicable opportunities…to small businesses, VSOB, SDVOSBs, HUBZone businesses, EDWOSBs, etc.”
Heads of contracting are responsible to have a “SB program”
We’ll explain FAR Part 19 another time…it’s a whopper.

9. Why Should Government Care?
Book answer:
Small Business Act and FAR 19 says so
Our answer:
Often allows better product/service, faster, and often at less cost (but not ‘no cost’)
Better service: Targets your offerers
Saves you time, saves them time, you may be their largest customer

10. Why Should Government Care?
Faster
More focused, more nimble, more innovative (but not infinitely so)
“Cheaper”
Less overhead, less interdivision costs, etc.
YOU WANT THEM TO KNOW IT’S NOT RIGGED!

11. Why Should Industry Care?
Book answer: FAR 6.2 and FAR 19 say they can care
Our answer:
Small business
Focus (see Episode 016 or the Target or Forget It! Webinar)
Strategic Advantage
Fewer sharks in your lagoon…

12. Why Should Industry Care?
Large business
As a prime: they have a subcontracting plan and the eSRS to manage
As a sub: they have access to many set asides
It’s the system we have

13. Summary Can be advantageous both Government and Industry
Provides opportunities for Small Business that may not otherwise exist
Must be carefully managed

14. Contact us We are on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook
We also started the Government Contracting Network Group on Facebook. Join us there!
Send your topics to
For Community support, contact Shelley Hall at