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FAR and DFARS › FAR Part 19: Small Business Programs

FAR 19.000 Scope of part.

The codified text (eCFR, as of 2026-10-02). Under the Revolutionary FAR Overhaul ↗, agencies follow class deviations with new text for many parts while the formal rules go through the Federal Register: check the solicitation and your contract's clauses, which rule.

In plain English

This section explains that FAR Part 19 implements the Small Business Act and related laws, covering programs that help small businesses win federal contracts. It lists the programs covered, such as set-asides, the 8(a) program, HUBZone, SDVOSB, and WOSB programs, and states where the part applies. It matters because it tells contractors which small-business programs exist and that offerors must meet the definitions of 'small business concern' and 'concern'.

Applies to: Contracting officers and offerors participating in procurements under FAR Part 19

What it requires

  • Contracting officers shall apply this part in the United States and its outlying areas
  • Offerors participating in any procurement under this part must meet the definition of 'small business concern' at 2.101 and the definition of 'concern' at 19.001

Key terms: small business concern · concern · 8(a) program · HUBZone small business concern · service-disabled veteran-owned small business (SDVOSB) concern

Written by AI from this section's text. A guide, not legal advice: the text below rules.

The text

(a) This part implements the acquisition-related sections of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 631, et seq.), applicable sections of the Armed Services Procurement Act (10 U.S.C. 3063-3064 and 3203), 41 U.S.C. 3104, and Executive Order 12138, May 18, 1979. It covers—

(1) The determination that a concern is eligible for participation in the programs identified in this part;

(2) The respective roles of executive agencies and the Small Business Administration (SBA) in implementing the programs;

(3) Setting acquisitions aside, in total or in part, for exclusive competitive participation by small business, 8(a) participants, HUBZone small business concerns, service-disabled veteran-owned small business (SDVOSB) concerns eligible under the SDVOSB Program, and economically disadvantaged women-owned small business (EDWOSB) concerns and women-owned small business (WOSB) concerns eligible under the WOSB Program;

(4) The certificate of competency program;

(5) The subcontracting assistance program;

(6) The “8(a)” business development program (hereafter referred to as 8(a) program), under which agencies contract with the SBA for goods or services to be furnished under a subcontract by a small disadvantaged business concern;

(7) The use of a price evaluation preference for HUBZone small business concerns;

(8) The use of veteran-owned small business concerns;

(9) Sole source awards to HUBZone small business concerns, service-disabled veteran-owned small business concerns, and EDWOSB concerns and WOSB concerns eligible under the WOSB Program; and

(10) The use of reserves.

(b)(1) Unless otherwise specified in this part (see subparts 19.6 and 19.7)—

(i) Contracting officers shall apply this part in the United States and its outlying areas; and

(ii) Contracting officers may apply this part outside the United States and its outlying areas.

(2) Offerors that participate in any procurement under this part are required to meet the definition of “small business concern” at 2.101 and the definition of “concern” at 19.001.

Sections it refers to

Sections that refer to it

  • 8.405-5 Small business.
  • 13.003 Policy.
  • 16.505 Ordering.
  • 19.202-5 Data collection and reporting requirements.
  • 19.301-1 Representation by the offeror.
  • 19.301-2 Rerepresentation by a contractor that represented its status as a small business concern.
  • 19.309 Solicitation provisions and contract clauses.
  • 19.501 General.
  • 19.502-4 Partial set-asides of multiple-award contracts.
  • 19.503 Reserves.
  • 19.504 Orders under multiple-award contracts.
  • 19.507 Solicitation provisions and contract clauses.
  • 52.204-8 Annual Representations and Certifications.
  • 52.212-3 Offeror Representations and Certifications—Commercial Products and Commercial Services.
  • 52.219-7 Notice of Partial Small Business Set-Aside.
  • 52.219-13 Notice of Set-Aside of Orders.
  • 52.219-14 Limitations on Subcontracting.
  • 52.219-28 Postaward Small Business Program Rerepresentation.
  • 52.219-31 Notice of Small Business Reserve.
  • 52.219-32 Orders Issued Directly Under Small Business Reserves.
  • 52.219-33 Nonmanufacturer Rule.
  • 219.270-2 Procedures.
  • 219.270-3 Solicitation provision.
  • 237.7702 Policy.
  • 252.219-7012 Competition for Religious-Related Services.

19.001 Definitions. →

Rule changes for FAR Part 19

Source: eCFR, 48 CFR chapters 1 and 2 (GPO GovInfo bulk data) ↗. Plain words for the terms: glossary.

FAR 19.000 Scope of part · SpendQuery