Set-Aside Certifications

Plain-English guides to every major SBA set-aside certification: 8(a), HUBZone, WOSB, SDVOSB, and MBE. Eligibility requirements, application walkthroughs, and honest assessments of whether each one is worth your time.

8(a) certification guide: requirements, application, and what changed in 2026

A plain-English walkthrough of 8(a) certification, including who qualifies, what documents you need, how long approval takes, and the 2026 rule changes making review tighter.

Certifications 10 min read

SBA Mentor-Protege Program: what subcontractors need to know

The SBA Mentor-Protege Program lets small businesses partner with experienced contractors to form joint ventures, build past performance, and compete for set-aside contracts they couldn't win alone.

Certifications 10 min read

Government set-aside certifications: which one is right for your business?

A side-by-side comparison of every major federal set-aside certification -- 8(a), HUBZone, WOSB, SDVOSB, and MBE -- with eligibility requirements, real contract dollar volumes, and an honest take on which ones are worth the effort.

Certifications 14 min read

Joint ventures vs teaming agreements: which structure is right for your bid?

A side-by-side comparison of joint ventures and teaming agreements in government contracting, covering legal structure, size status, past performance, cost, and when to use each.

Certifications 9 min read

WOSB and EDWOSB certification: the complete application walkthrough

Step-by-step guide to WOSB and EDWOSB certification through the SBA, including eligibility, required documents, processing timeline, and the grants-vs-contracts reality.

Certifications 10 min read