Federal Certifications



There’s a percentage of business set aside for different kinds of companies including small, woman-owned, veteran-owned, and other disadvantaged groups”

The Federal Government sets aside certain percentages of their yearly contract dollars for different kinds of businesses including certified small, woman-owned, veteran-owned, minority-owned, and other kinds of disadvantaged businesses.

Learn about State of California SB, DVBE, & PW-SB certifications.

Becoming certified with the Federal Government can help make your business competitive in the government marketplace. But each certification takes time and effort and has different eligibility criteria and potential benefits. We’ve assembled the information you need to navigate these processes – see below for a comprehensive list..


8(a) Business Development Program

For socially and economically disadvantaged individuals. 

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HUBZone Program

Small businesses in specific urban and rural communities gain preferential access to federal procurement opportunities.

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Woman-Owned Small Business Certifications

Enables Woman-Owned Small Businesses to compete for federal contracts that are set-aside in industries where women-owned small businesses are underrepresented.

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Veteran-Owned Small Business Certifications

Provide procuring agencies with the authority to set acquisitions aside for exclusive competition among veteran-owned small business concerns, as well as the authority to make sole source awards to veteran-owned small business concerns if certain conditions are met. 

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Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Certification

Provide procuring agencies with the authority to set acquisitions aside for exclusive competition among service-disabled veteran-owned small business concerns, as well as the authority to make sole source awards to service-disabled veteran-owned small business concerns if certain conditions are met. 

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Small Business & Small Disadvantaged Business

Small businesses can self-represent their status as a small disadvantaged business (SDB) with the federal government by checking the box in their SAM registration on the Assertations page. SAM will automatically assign federal Small Business (SB) status to businesses who qualify based on their SBA size standards.

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Mentor-Protégé program

Learn from an experienced government contractor and get valuable business development help from mentors in several areas.

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If you have more questions, please contact us at info@apexnorcal.org or (707) 267 – 7561