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CAGE Codes and Small Business Set-Asides: What You Need to Know

Small business set-asides are one of the most powerful tools available to small federal contractors. Your CAGE code record in SAM.gov carries your socioeconomic certifications — the flags that make you eligible for set-aside competitions. This guide explains how it all connects.

What Are Small Business Set-Asides?

Federal law (the Small Business Act) requires agencies to set aside a portion of their contracting dollars for small businesses. Set-asides come in several flavors:

Small Business Total Set-Aside — Reserved for any SBA-compliant small business
8(a) — For SBA-certified 8(a) participants
WOSB — For certified Woman-Owned Small Businesses
SDVOSB — For SBA-certified Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses
HUBZone — For SBA-certified HUBZone businesses

How Your CAGE Code Record Shows Certifications

When a contracting officer looks up your CAGE code in SAM.gov, they see your socioeconomic status flags — the same ones you self-certified during registration. For program certifications (8(a), WOSB, SDVOSB, HUBZone), your SBA-certified status is automatically linked to your SAM record after certification approval. Always verify your flags are accurate in SAM.gov.

Set-Aside Dollar Thresholds

Set-Aside Type	Sole Source Limit	Notes
Small Business	$250K (simplified acq.)	Mandatory set-aside between $10K–$250K
8(a)	$4.5M / $7M (mfg)	Competitive above thresholds
WOSB	$4.5M / $7M (mfg)	85+ eligible NAICS codes
SDVOSB	$5M / $6.5M (construction)	VA Veterans First adds preference
HUBZone	$5M / $7M (mfg)	10% price eval preference in open competition

Decode Any CAGE Code Instantly

Enter any 5-character CAGE code to see the company name, SAM status, and certifications.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most valuable small business certification?

It depends on your situation. 8(a) offers the broadest sole-source authority. SDVOSB is highly valued at the VA. HUBZone provides price preferences in open competition. Many businesses pursue multiple certifications.

Can I lose my set-aside eligibility?

Yes — if you exceed SBA size standards, your SAM certification lapses, or your program certification is revoked. Monitor your size annually and keep SAM renewals current.

How do I find set-aside opportunities for my CAGE code category?

Search SAM.gov opportunities filtered by set-aside type. FedAtlas.com can show historical contract awards in your NAICS code and set-aside category to identify likely buyers.

See Contract History

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