HUBZone Program Overview

Rebuilding America's Communities, One Job at a Time

The HUBZone Empowerment Act was enacted into law as part of the Small Business Reauthorization Act of 1997.  The Small Business Administration regulates and implements the program, determines which businesses are eligible to receive HUBZone contracts, maintains a list of qualified HUBZone businesses that federal agencies can use to locate vendors, and adjudicates protests of eligibility to receive HUBZone contracts.  
 
The Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone) Program encourages small businesses to locate in and hire employees from economically disadvantaged areas of the United States.  Small firms participating in the program can receive competitive advantages in winning federal contracts.  Three percent (3%) of all federal contracting dollars should be awarded to HUBZone firms annually. 

Virtually all federal agencies participate in the HUBZone program.  The provisions of the Small Business Act apply only to procurements made in the United States.  Procurements made by the U.S. Postal Service, the Federal Aviation Administration, The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the U.S. Congress, and procurements made through GSA schedules are not part of the HUBZone Program.  

HUBZones are determined by census tracts and generally include inner-city neighborhoods, non-metropolitan counties, lands within the external boundaries of Indian reservations, qualified base closure areas, and/or other redesignated areas. 

Is your company located in a HUBZone?

 

HUBZone Program Requirements

A business must meet the following criteria to become certified as a HUBZone company:

• The firm must be a 'small business' based on the size standards based on the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS).  
• The firm must be at least 51% owned and controlled by citizens of the United States.
• The firm's principal office (where the greatest number of employees perform their work, excluding contract sites) must be located in a designated HUBZone area.
• At least 35% of the firm's total workforce must reside in a designated HUBZone area.

Existing businesses that choose to move to qualified HUBZone areas are eligible.  To fulfill the requirement that 35% of a HUBZone firm's employees reside in a HUBZone, employees must live in a primary residence within that area for at least 180 days or be a currently registered voter in the area.

To apply, companies are encouraged to use the electronic application on the SBA website.  Doing so can save days off the decision-making timeline.  Paper applications, while still available, usually result in longer timeframes for review and are therefore discouraged.  
  
 

Questions?  Try These Resources.

Small Business Administration HUBZone Help Desk -- call 202-205-8885 or email 

Small Business Administration Frequently Asked Questions about HUBZones

Small Business Administration Reauthorization Act of 1977 (Public Law 105-135 - HUBZone Program)
 
Complete HUBZone Regulations (13 CFR 126)
 
Federal Acquisition Regulations - HUBZone Program (48 CFR CH 1 - Subpart 19.13)
 
Small Business Size Regulations (13 CFR 121)
 
Small Business Administration Regional Business Development Centers

Small Business Administration Regional & District Offices
  
HUBZone-Certified Contractor Database