FAQ'S

Q1. What is the HUBZone Empowerment Contracting Program?

A1. The HUBZone Empowerment Contracting Program stimulates economic development and creates jobs in urban and rural communities by providing Federal contracting preferences to small businesses. These preferences go to small businesses that obtain HUBZone (Historically Underutilized Business Zone) certification in part by employing staff who live in a HUBZone. The company must also maintain a "principal office" in one of these specially designated areas. [A principal office can be different from a company headquarters, as explained later in this document.] The program resulted from provisions contained in the Small Business Reauthorization Act of 1997.

Q2. Where is there a list of all HUBZone certified companies?

A2. A state-by-state listing is available on the HUBZone web page, but a more comprehensive search capability is offered through the SBA's PRO-Net database, which now contains more than 210,000 small businesses that have expressed an interest in working with the Federal government or teaming with other small businesses. If you're searching for one or more HUBZone certified firms, just indicate that in your search criteria. That listing is available at http://pro-net.sba.gov.

Q3. Which agencies participate in the HUBZone program and where are these contract opportunities posted for general public review?

A3. As of Oct. 1, 2000, all Federal buying agencies must abide by the HUBZone Program requirements and many of these contracts are posted in the Commerce Business Daily, a publication that has a no cost, on-line version that can be accessed at www.sba.gov/GC/library.html.

SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
13 CFR Parts 121, 125, and 126
HUBZone Empowerment Contracting Program