Having the right certifications, schedules, and NAICS codes are key to finding and winning the best contracts for small businesses. Many women, minorities, and veterans have started small businesses because the Federal government sets aside a portion of its contracts budget just for them.
Registered HUBZone businesses are no different, so what is HUBZone, and is it for my small business?
HUBZone, which stands for Historically Underutilized Business Zones, is a program that helps small businesses in urban and rural communities. The Federal government sets a goal of awarding at least 3% of Federal prime contract funds to HUBZone certified businesses. The two main benefits for HUBZone certified businesses are the potential for sole-source contracts and a 10% price evaluation preference in full and open contract competitions.
To qualify as a HUBZone certified business, you must meet the following requirements:
- You must be a small business by SBA standards.
- Your business must be owned and controlled at least 51% by U.S. citizens, or a Community Development Corporation, an agricultural cooperative, or an Indian tribe.
- Your principal office must be located within a “Historically Underutilized Business Zone” which includes neighborhoods, cities and counties across the country as well as lands considered “Indian Country” and military facilities closed by the Base Realignment and Closure Act.
- 33% of your employees must reside in a HUBZone.
If you feel you qualify for HUBZone certification but are not sure if you are in a HUBZone, view the HUBZone map at https://maps.certify.sba.gov/hubzone/map. Then go to https://www.sba.gov/federal-contracting/contracting-assistance-programs/hubzone-program for more information.
How can BC2Match help HUBZone certified businesses find new contract and teaming opportunities?
BC2Match uses “Intelligent Matching” technology to scour multiple data sources and pairs opportunities with the criteria that you submit. In this case, when you add HUBZone as a certification, BC2Match will find opportunities and show the “best match” first in your dashboard. You are not restricted to one certification. If you are also a woman-owned small business or a veteran-owned small business, BC2Match looks for those matches too.
Once you have an opportunity, you can also use the “Build a Team” feature in BC2Match. By entering requirements around an opportunity, BC2Match looks for other members who meet your requirements. When you see the results, you will see a scorecard showing how well other potential partners meet your requirements. From there, you can contact the member and start a conversation around the opportunity.
You can sign up for a free 30-day trial and start using BC2Match’s “Intelligent Matching” technology right away.