Federal Contract Set-Asides for Small Businesses (CRS Report for Congress)
| Release Date |
Dec. 17, 2024 |
| Report Number |
IF12852 |
| Report Type |
In Focus |
| Authors |
R. Corinne Blackford |
| Source Agency |
Congressional Research Service |
Summary:
Provisions of the Small Business Act authorize or, in some
cases, require federal agencies to provide small businesses a
preference when making a contract award. Preferences for
small business contractors may take the form of contract
set-asides, which may limit the competition for an award to
small firms. Set-aside authorities are codified in different
places in the U.S. Code, including where small business
contracting programs are covered at 15 U.S.C. §644(j)(1).
This In Focus provides an overview of small business
contract set-asides. Other types of contracting preferences
that may be granted to small businesses include sole-source
awards (contracts made without competition) and price
evaluation preferences. For detailed information on small
business contracting policies, see CRS Report R45576, An
Overview of Small Business Contracting.
