Hubzone Map
HUBZone is a program managed by the Small Business Administration that helps promote economic development and employment growth in distressed areas. The program provides set-aside federal contract opportunities to HUBZone-certified businesses.
Historically, Underutilized Business Zones (HUBZone) are geographically defined areas where HUBZone-certified businesses may gain preferential access to federal contracting opportunities. The program offers eligible HUBZone small businesses a 3% set aside of federal contract dollars. Federal agencies may also award sole-source contracts and a 10% price evaluation preference in full and open contract competitions to HUBZone-certified small businesses.
To help small business owners easily check whether or not they qualify for the program, SBA has recently launched a new HUBZone map that is easier to use than its previous version. The new tool is more user-friendly, includes the latest changes to HUBZone regulations and designations, and enables users to verify their eligibility for HUBZone status by entering in an address.
HUBZone Certification Eligibility
There are a few requirements to be eligible for HUBZone certification. To qualify, businesses must have at least 51% ownership by a U.S citizen or have at least a majority of their employees be residents of the HUBZone. They must also be a small business that meets the size standards set by the federal government. Finally, they must be located in a qualified census tract, non-metropolitan county, or designated Indian land.
Once a business is certified for the program, they must comply with the HUBZone regulations and recertify annually. Additionally, they must notify the SBA if they have a change in their ownership structure or if their HUBZone residency drops below 20%. The SBA may also visit a company unannounced to conduct a program examination.
HUBZone-certified businesses have increased access to federal contracts and subcontracts. The federal government sets aside 3% of all prime contracts for these companies, and they receive a 10% price evaluation preference in contract competition. This is a great way for small companies to compete with larger firms and secure more opportunities.
How to Check Hubzone?
To get started, you can visit the HUBZone map at SBA. To ensure the map is correct, you can type in your business address to see if it is a HUBZone or not. Then, you can move on to meet all the other requirements to become a HUBZone business and start winning set-aside contracts. HUBZone certification is a great way for disadvantaged businesses to level the playing field in the competitive world of government contracts. If you are interested in learning more about the HUBZone program or need help with your HUBZone certification, contact us today for one-on-one assistance.
