A firm, including affiliates that is independently owned and operated, not dominant in the field in which it competes for government contracts, and in conformity with specific industry criteria defined by the Small Business Administration (SBA). The Small Business Administration has established a size standard for most industries in the economy. 

• System for Award Management (SAM.GOV): Sam.gov is the primary location to identify active federal contract opportunities over $25,000, allowing small business concerns to search for federal procurement opportunities. Businesses can register with sam.gov to receive automatic email announcements on upcoming procurement opportunities, sources sought notices, etc. 
   
• APEX Accelerators: The APEX Accelerators, formally known as the Procurement Technical Assistance Program (PTAP), provide local, in-person counseling and training services for businesses. They are designed to provide technical assistance to companies that want to sell products and services to federal, state, and/or local governments.
   
• HubZone Program: The HUBZone program fuels small business growth in historically underutilized business zones. Its goal is to award at least 3% of federal contract dollars to HUBZone-certified companies each year.
   
• Minority Business Development Agency: The Minority Business Development Agency Business Centers help minority business enterprises gain access to new markets—domestic and global—and grow in size and scale by providing them with technical assistance.
• Service Disabled Veteran Small Business: The federal government's goal is to award three percent of all prime and subcontracting dollars to businesses in the disabled veterans’ business program each year.
   
• Small Business Administration (SBA) Certifications: Programs designed to help small and disadvantaged firms compete effectively for procurements.
   
• Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs): The U.S Small Business Administration (SBA) administers the Small Business Development Centers Program to provide management assistance to current and prospective small business owners. SBDCs offer one-stop assistance to individuals and small businesses by providing a wide variety of information and guidance in central and easily accessible branch locations.
   
• Small Business Administration (SBA) District Offices: SBA District Offices offer counseling, training, and business development to help you start and grow your business.
   
• Small Disadvantaged Business (8a): The federal government's goal is to award five percent of all prime and subcontracting dollars to small disadvantaged businesses each year. To help meet that goal, you can make set-asides awards for businesses that participate in the 8(a) Business Development program.
   
• Subcontracting Network: The Small Business Administration (SBA) hosts the Subcontracting Network website, SubNet, where prime contractors may post subcontracting opportunities. These opportunities are often reserved for small businesses and may include solicitations or other announcements, including sources sought notices for teaming as partners or subcontractors on future contracts. 
   
• Veteran Small Business: Learn about federal programs that help veteran-owned small businesses access federal contract awards and surplus personal property. Learn more about the Veteran Business Center Outreach Program.
   
• Women’s Business Centers: These Centers provide free to low-cost counseling and training and focus on women who want to start, grow, and expand their small businesses.
   
• GSA Schedule Overview: Becoming a contract holder on the GSA Multiple Award Schedule Program gives businesses access to contract opportunities that are only available to schedule holders.  The GSA Schedule can streamline the procurement process for both vendors and government agencies.