Question 1

What is a total set-aside?

Accepted Answer

A total set-aside reserves the entire contract for a specific category of small business. A total SDVOSB set-aside means only certified SDVOSBs can submit offers — no large businesses, no other small business types. Total set-asides are required when the contracting officer meets the rule of two for SDVOSBs. This is distinct from a partial set-aside where only a portion of the work is reserved.

Question 2

What is an SDVOSB set-aside contract?

Accepted Answer

An SDVOSB set-aside is a federal contract reserved exclusively for competition among Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses. Contracting officers use set-asides when they reasonably expect to receive offers from at least two eligible SDVOSBs at a fair market price (the 'rule of two'). Set-asides help ensure SDVOSBs get a fair share of federal contract dollars as mandated by Congress.

Question 3

What is the 'rule of two' for SDVOSB set-asides?

Accepted Answer

The rule of two requires a contracting officer to set aside a contract for SDVOSBs when there is a reasonable expectation of receiving offers from at least two eligible SDVOSB concerns that can perform at a fair market price. If this expectation exists, the contracting officer must use the set-aside instead of full-and-open competition. The rule of two is a mandatory gate — it's not discretionary when conditions are met.

Question 4

What is a partial set-aside and can SDVOSBs compete?

Accepted Answer

A partial set-aside reserves a portion of a contract's work for small business competition while the remaining portion is open to full-and-open competition. SDVOSBs can compete in the small business portion if the set-aside type includes SDVOSB. Partial set-asides are often used for large contracts where the government wants both small and large business competition, or for multiple-award contracts with reserved SDVOSB pools.

What is a total set-aside?

More on Set-Aside Contracts

Related Questions

Related Tools & Directories