Who qualifies for SBE?
To qualify as a small business:
Size Standards:
- Must meet SBA size standards for your primary NAICS code
- Size standards vary by industry
- Based on annual revenue or number of employees depending on industry
- Example: Most professional services = $16.5M - $41.5M annual revenue
- Example: Most manufacturing = 500-1500 employees
Ownership:
- No specific ownership requirements for basic SB status
- Just need to meet size standards
Location:
- Must be a U.S. business
How to apply for SBE
Step 1: Get Your UEI SAM.gov will assign you a Unique Entity ID when you register.
Step 2: Register in SAM.gov Complete your SAM.gov registration (required for all federal contracting).
Step 3: Self-Certify Size In SAM.gov, self-certify your small business status under your NAICS codes.
Step 4: Maintain Registration SAM.gov registration must be renewed annually.
No Application Fee SAM.gov registration is completely free.
What you'll need to apply
For SAM.gov registration:
- UEI number (assigned automatically in SAM.gov)
- Tax Identification Number (EIN)
- Banking information
- NAICS codes
- Business address
- Business point of contact
- Optional: Past performance information
What SBE unlocks
Federal Contracting:
- Access to 23% of federal contracts set aside for small businesses
- Small business set-aside competitions
- Subcontracting opportunities with large primes
Foundation for Other Certifications:
- Required for 8(a), HUBZone, WOSB certifications
- Must be small to access most small business programs
Visibility:
- Listed in SAM.gov database
- Searchable by federal contracting officers
Where applicants get tripped up
- Know your NAICS codes and verify you're small under each
- Keep SAM.gov registration current (expires annually)
- Calculate your size carefully - it's based on 5-year average
- Size can change over time as you grow
Keeping your SBE certification active
SAM.gov registration must be renewed annually before expiration. Set a reminder 30-60 days before expiration to ensure continuous eligibility.
Companies that accept SBE
24 corporate programs accept SBE. First 12 below.
- Boeing f500
- Lockheed Martin f500
- McKesson f500
- Microsoft Corporation f100
- AECOM f500
- BAE Systems large
- Booz Allen Hamilton large
- CACI International large
- Cardinal Health f500
- Chevron Corporation f100
- Fluor Corporation f500
- General Dynamics f500
Questions applicants ask about SBE
Is SAM.gov registration really free?
Yes. Watch out for scam sites that charge fees.
How often do I need to renew?
SAM.gov registration expires annually and must be renewed.
What if I'm not small under my NAICS code?
You won't qualify for small business set-asides for that NAICS code, but may be small under other codes.
Do I need to be small to do any federal contracting?
No, but you won't have access to small business set-asides.