SBA size standards explained: how to know if you qualify as a small business
The SBA assigns a different size standard to every NAICS industry code. Some are measured by average annual revenue, others by average …
The Journal
Working coverage of certifications, corporate procurement, federal contracting, financing, and the operators making each work for diverse-owned businesses. Every piece checked against primary sources.
Find my certifications →The SBA assigns a different size standard to every NAICS industry code. Some are measured by average annual revenue, others by average …
The SBA All Small Mentor-Protege Program pairs small businesses with larger, more experienced businesses for technical, financial, and management assistance. The key …
The SBA certifies 8(a), HUBZone, WOSB, and SDVOSB firms — and then buys IT, consulting, and professional services using those same certifications. …
Federal set-aside contracts restrict competition to businesses that hold specific certifications or meet specific criteria. When a contracting officer can find two …
The SBA charges nothing to apply for 8(a) certification. The honest cost is roughly 200 hours of your time, optional consultant fees …
Size standards determine who legally qualifies as a small business for federal set-asides and contracts. They vary by NAICS code, measure either …
Comprehensive breakdown of 2026 SBA certification changes by program: new recertification rules, deadline extensions, eligibility requirements, and action items.
A practical compliance framework for 8(a), WOSB, SDVOSB, and HUBZone certified businesses navigating the most intense enforcement environment in the programs' history.
Seven financing channels that still work for certified diverse businesses in 2026, with per-program status after the 2025 pullback: CDFIs, SBA 7(a) …
The SBA has launched a comprehensive audit of all 4,300 8(a) participants. Deadline extended to January 19, 2026. Here's what you need …
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Most of what gets covered here turns into a question of which certification you should pursue first. The eligibility quiz checks your business against every certification we track and returns a ranked list with the buyers each opens.