Home / Set-asides by category
Federal set-asides explained: what each label means
A set-aside reserves a federal contract for a group of businesses, such as small businesses. Here is what the labels on SAM.gov notices mean, and how FedSonar shows them across its seven categories.
The set-asides you will see
- Small business set-aside (total or partial)
- Only small businesses can compete for the work (total), or for part of it (partial). "Small" is set by SBA size standards, which depend on the notice's NAICS code.
- 8(a) set-aside
- For firms taking part in SBA's 8(a) Business Development Program, which helps small businesses owned by socially and economically disadvantaged people.
- HUBZone set-aside
- For small businesses certified in SBA's HUBZone program, which covers firms located in Historically Underutilized Business Zones and meeting the program's rules.
- SDVOSB set-aside
- For small businesses owned and controlled by service-disabled veterans.
- WOSB and EDWOSB set-asides
- Under SBA's Women-Owned Small Business program, for women-owned small businesses (EDWOSB: economically disadvantaged women-owned) in industries where SBA has found women-owned businesses are underrepresented.
- VOSB set-aside (VA)
- A Department of Veterans Affairs set-aside for veteran-owned small businesses. SAM.gov labels it as specific to the VA.
- ISBEE and Buy Indian (IHS)
- Labels for notices reserved for Indian small business economic enterprises, and for Indian Health Service buys under the Buy Indian Act. The notice says who qualifies.
- "Sole source" next to a program name
- The notice says the agency intends to award to a single firm in that program rather than compete the work. The notice gives the reason.
- Open to all, or no set-aside listed
- The notice uses no set-aside, or the field is empty. Check the notice for any other limits.
Having a label on a notice does not mean you qualify. Eligibility depends on the notice, its NAICS size standard and your certifications. FedSonar does not check eligibility and does not promise wins.
Official program pages
For the programs themselves, see these US government pages (FedSonar is not affiliated with them):
- SBA: 8(a) Business Development Program
- SBA: HUBZone program
- SBA: Women-Owned Small Business program
- SBA: service-disabled veteran-owned small business prime contracting factsheet
- SBA: contracting assistance programs
- Federal Acquisition Regulation: small business programs
How FedSonar shows set-asides
FedSonar reads the public SAM.gov Contract Opportunities file, sorts notices into seven categories and links each lead to the original notice. Every lead shows the notice's set-aside as listed. The Small business only switch keeps set-aside leads: small business, 8(a), HUBZone, SDVOSB, WOSB and EDWOSB, VA and ISBEE.
Set-asides in each category: the free samples
Data: SAM.gov Contract Opportunities file of Oct 16, 2026, 8:30 PM PT. Counts cover only the free sample set (up to 4 leads per category), not every notice, so they say nothing about how common set-asides are in a category.
SI stands for super intelligence, the term US federal agencies increasingly use for what used to be called artificial intelligence.
| Category | Free sample notices | With a set-aside |
|---|---|---|
| SI | 4 | 0 |
| Cybersecurity | 4 | 0 |
| IT & Software | 4 | 1 |
| Engineering & R&D | 4 | 0 |
| Construction & Facilities | 4 | 1 |
| Consulting | 4 | 1 |
| Health & Medical | 2 | 2 |
Common question
What does a small business set-aside mean?
Only small businesses can compete for the work (total), or for part of it (partial). "Small" is set by SBA size standards, which depend on the notice's NAICS code.
See them: small business set-aside notices by category. New to market research notices? Read what a Sources Sought notice is.
Free: up to 4 free sample leads per category. Pro is $29/month; the Lead Pack is $7 for one week, no subscription.
Always check the official notice and any amendments on SAM.gov before you respond or bid. FedSonar is independent and not affiliated with SAM.gov or the US government. This page is general information, not legal or contracting advice.