What is a Small Business?

A small business is not dominant in its field of operation and qualifies as a small business concern under Title 13, Code of Federal Regulations, part 121 (13 CFR 121). SBA has established size standards for all for-profit economic activities as they are described under the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS). Size standards are critical in the government-contracting process because they ensure a "level playing field" for competition among small businesses of varying sizes. They also apply to other SBA programs, such as its Loans & Grants and Technology (SBIR/STTR) Programs. In fact, they apply to all Federal programs that provide a benefit to a small business concern.

What's New with Size Standards

SBA increases size standards for NAICS Sector 53, Real Estate and Rental and Leasing The United States Small Business Administration (SBA) is increasing the small business size standards for 21 industries and one sub-industry in ...
Small Business Size Regulations

The Small Business Act was created, in part, to help small businesses compete in our economic market. The passage of this act has made it necessary to establish standards of identifying small businesses. Below are the size ...
Size Standards Methodology

For its ongoing comprehensive size standards review and future regulatory actions relating to size standards, SBA has developed a “Size Standards Methodology White Paper,”explaining how it establishes, reviews and ...
Table of Small Business Size Standards

To help small business owners assess their small business status, SBA has established a Table of Small Business Size Standards. Does your business qualify as a small business?
Summary of Size Standards by Industry

Size guidelines define the maximum size that a firm (including its affiliates) can be to qualify as a small business for most SBA programs. Learn about the common standards for a small business.
What are the Small Business Size Standards?

Your business might be eligible for programs that are reserved for small business concerns. To qualify, your business must satisfy SBA's definition of a business concern, along with the size standards for small business. SBA ...
Size Protests, Size Determinations, and Appeals

Learn about size protests, size determinations and appeals.
Guide to Size Standards

Guide to SBA's Definitions of Small Business The U. S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has prepared this Guide to SBA's Definitions of Small Business (Guide) to help the public understand how SBA defines a small ...
Affiliation

Affiliation Discussion When you calculate the size of your business to determine if you are a small business, you must include the annual receipts and the employees of your affiliates. Affiliation is determined by the ability to ...
Small Business Competitiveness Demonstration Program

Get information about the Small Business Competitiveness Demonstration Program.