Can HUBZone certified firms receive any special loans, grants or tax credits through the HUBZone Program?
Can HUBZone certified firms receive any special loans, grants or tax credits through the HUBZone Program?
No, the Federal benefits are limited to those listed above.
Where is there a list of all HUBZone certified companies?
Where is there a list of all HUBZone certified companies?
A state-by-state listing is available on the HUBZone Opening web page, but a more comprehensive search capability is offered through the Contracting Officer’s HUBZone Gateway, which now contains more than 4,700 Certified Small Business Concerns that have expressed an interest in working with the Federal government as HUBZone contractors.
Which agencies participate in the HUBZone program and where are these contract opportunities posted for general public review?
Which agencies participate in the HUBZone program and where are these contract opportunities posted for general public review?
As of Oct. 1, 2000, all Federal buying agencies must abide by the HUBZone Program requirements and many of these contracts are posted on Fed Biz Opps, that can be accessed at vsearch2.eps.gov/servlet/SearchServlet. Under ‘Search by Set-Aside Code,’ select either “#5- Total HUB-Zone” or “#11- Partial HUB-Zone.”
What benefits are small businesses receiving under this program?
What benefits are small businesses receiving under this program?
Generally speaking, there are two levels of benefit. The first relates directly to Federal contracts, while the second involves specialized assistance. Federal Contract Benefits - There are four types of HUBZone contract opportunities: Competitive: Contracts can be set-aside for HUBZone competition when the contracting officer has a reasonable expectation that at least two qualified HUBZone [...]
Can the SBA protest a contracting officer’s decision not to award a contract opportunity to a qualified HUBZone small business?
Can the SBA protest a contracting officer’s decision not to award a contract opportunity to a qualified HUBZone small business?
Yes. The SBA’s Administrator may file a written request for re-consideration of the contracting officer’s decision with the Secretary of the Department, or Agency head.
What is the HUBZone Empowerment Contracting Program?
What is the HUBZone Empowerment Contracting Program?
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 [...]
How does SBA define the term “principal office?”
How does SBA define the term “principal office?”
It’s the location where the greatest number of employees at any one location actually perform their work, except for construction and service industries, which have exemptions based on their occasional need to assign employees at the contract location. Notice that the ?principal office’s definition can mean something very different from a company’s headquarters. It could [...]
What is the easiest way to find the location of a HUBZone in my area?
What is the easiest way to find the location of a HUBZone in my area?
Simply log onto the web at www.sba.gov/hubzone and select the option Are You in a HUBZone? You can search the system using several designations, including a specific address, a county or a full state.
Does a business that attempts to qualify for the HUBZone Program based upon its location on an Indian reservation have to be Indian owned?
Does a business that attempts to qualify for the HUBZone Program based upon its location on an Indian reservation have to be Indian owned?
No. As long as the principal office of the business is located on an Indian reservation and meets all other eligibility criteria, it can earn the HUBZone designation.
How does a firm qualify for this program?
How does a firm qualify for this program?
To qualify for the program, a business must meet the following criteria: It must be a small business by SBA size standards; Its principal office must be located within a HUBZone, which includes lands on federally recognized Indian reservations; It must be owned and controlled by one or more U.S. citizens (N.B.-this means any level [...]
The HUBZone Program is based on a geographical designation. Are there differences in these geographical assignments and approximately how many current locations are there for each?
The HUBZone Program is based on a geographical designation. Are there differences in these geographical assignments and approximately how many current locations are there for each?
The statute establishing the HUBZone Program directs the SBA to rely upon definitions provided by other Federal agencies to determine which areas qualify as HUBZones. Generally speaking, these determinations are arrived at after the collection of either income or employment data, and that data forms the basis for the calculations cited below: A HUBZone may [...]
If I own the company applying for HUBZone certification, should I include myself when calculating the number of employees?
If I own the company applying for HUBZone certification, should I include myself when calculating the number of employees?
Yes. You count regardless of whether you serve in a paid or unpaid status, so long as you consider yourself to be a principal employee of the firm and spend full-time equivalent hours devoted to the business.
>How often can these designations change?
>How often can these designations change?
Urban is concurrent with the census (change is every ten years). Rural reflects employment and income adjustments (employment levels determined annually). Native American involves Federal recognition and boundary changes (no fixed time).
How does SBA define the term “reside” in reference to the residency requirement?
How does SBA define the term “reside” in reference to the residency requirement?
The term reside means to live in a primary residence at a place for at least 180 days, or as a currently registered voter, and with intent to live there indefinitely. Employers should be aware that it makes no difference which HUBZone their employees reside in. An employee can reside in one HUBZone and work [...]
Will small businesses participating in the SBA?s 8(a) Business Development Program that are already in or relocate to a HUBZone area be eligible to receive both 8(a) and HUBZone contracting opportunities?
Will small businesses participating in the SBA?s 8(a) Business Development Program that are already in or relocate to a HUBZone area be eligible to receive both 8(a) and HUBZone contracting opportunities?
Yes. This dual status can be quite beneficial, so a firm that has one designation and legitimately qualifies for the other is strongly urged to obtain both.
How can a firm’s eligibility as a HUBZone participant be challenged?
How can a firm’s eligibility as a HUBZone participant be challenged?
The specific process for challenging a firm’s eligibility as a HUBZone participant is detailed in the SBA’s operating regulations. Generally, these regulations allow an interested party to challenge the accuracy of an existing certification based on allegedly falsified applicant information or substantive changes that might have occurred since certification was first obtained. The SBA will [...]
What is the SBA’s responsibility under the program?
What is the SBA’s responsibility under the program?
SBA is responsible for formulating regulations to implement and administer the program. SBA is also required to submit a report no later than March 2002 to the Small Business Committee concerning the degree to which the HUBZone Program has resulted in increased employment opportunities and investment in HUBZones. Further, SBA is required to periodically examine [...]
Does this program only apply to small businesses that are currently located in HUBZones, or can firms move to these areas and then become eligible to participate?
Does this program only apply to small businesses that are currently located in HUBZones, or can firms move to these areas and then become eligible to participate?
This program applies to firms that are currently located within HUBZones and can include any start-up business that chooses to start operation in a HUBZone. An existing small business that chooses to relocate to a HUBZone can also become certified provided it meets the remaining criteria outlined earlier.
If my small business has several offices and one is qualified as a ?principal office? that serves as the basis for a HUBZone designation, can all my offices claim HUBZone certification?
If my small business has several offices and one is qualified as a ?principal office? that serves as the basis for a HUBZone designation, can all my offices claim HUBZone certification?
Yes, HUBZone is a status that applies to the entire business. This designation will remain in effect as long as any of the firm?s locations meet the test for and are certified as a “principal office” for HUBZone certification (assuming all other eligibility requirements are similarly maintained).
I’ve submitted a HUBZone application, but haven’t heard anything yet. How can I check the status?
I’ve submitted a HUBZone application, but haven’t heard anything yet. How can I check the status?
The application system available on the web (www.sba.gov/hubzone) has a built-in function that allows an applicant to check the status at any time. Just activate the certification function on the opening page and select the “Check Application Status” operation.
I understand that some regulatory amendments became effective Feb. 20, 2001. What’s changed?
I understand that some regulatory amendments became effective Feb. 20, 2001. What’s changed?
Those amendments to our rules appeared in the Federal Register on Jan. 18, 2001. The amendments impact four areas: Clarification on applicability to state and local governments This makes clear that the HUBZone program does not apply to contracts awarded by state and local governments, since the HUBZone Act only applies to the federal government. [...]
