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HUBZone Program.

HUBZone certification gives qualifying firms access to federal set-asides and a price evaluation preference when location, ownership, and employee-residence requirements are met.

Offered bySBA Office of Government Contracting and Business Developmentverified 2026-07-10

Overview

What it does.

A Chester address alone is not enough to establish eligibility. The firm must check its principal office and employee residences in SBA's current HUBZone map and meet all ownership, control, size, and workforce rules.

Best for: Small firms with a qualifying principal office and workforce that are ready to pursue federal contracts.

Eligibility

Who and what may qualify.

Eligible applicants

  • Qualifying small businesses with a principal office in a current HUBZone, qualifying ownership and control, and at least 35 percent of employees living in a HUBZone

Applicants excluded by the source

  • Businesses whose principal office or employee-residence mix does not meet current map and regulatory requirements

Eligible uses

  • Competing for HUBZone set-aside contracts
  • Receiving the price evaluation preference in eligible full and open federal competitions

Uses excluded by the source

  • Direct grants or loans
  • Automatic contract awards

Application

How to start.

  1. Check the current HUBZone map for the principal office and employee addresses
  2. Confirm ownership, control, size, and 35 percent employee-residence requirements
  3. Apply through MySBA Certifications and maintain supporting records

Timing: Certification applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

Planning notes

Limits to account for.

  • Map designations can change
  • At least 35 percent of employees must live in a HUBZone
  • Certification requires ongoing compliance and periodic recertification

A HUBZone firm may compete under other certifications it independently holds.

Evidence

Official sources.