Set-Asides

A new guide identifies 12 costly bid-preparation and submission pitfalls for service-disabled veteran-owned and veteran-owned small businesses pursuing smaller VA and DoD construction and facility-services set-asides. It connects risks—including eligibility representations, subcontracting limits, wage determinations, amendments, and timely receipt—to cited FAR or CFR rules; it does not announce an active solicitation or award.

The SBA's proposed size standard revisions could expand eligibility for nearly 3,000 contractors while exposing almost 57,000 small vendors to larger competitors, including publicly traded firms. With small-business obligations down 2.9% year over year in a growing federal market, contractors should reassess set-aside positioning and competitive exposure.