Set-Aside SINs refer to Special Item Numbers (SINs) under the GSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) program that are designated by GSA or authorized ordering agencies for exclusive competition among certain types of small businesses. These set-asides are established to promote participation of socioeconomically disadvantaged businesses in federal contracting and to help agencies meet their small business utilization goals.
While all SINs on the GSA Schedule are open to both large and small businesses, set-aside SINs allow contracting officers to limit competition within a particular SIN to specific categories of small businesses, such as 8(a), Women-Owned Small Businesses (WOSB), Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSB), and HUBZone firms. This approach aligns with the requirements of the Small Business Act and FAR Part 19, supporting the federal government’s commitment to small business inclusion.
Purpose and Regulatory Context
The primary goal of set-aside SINs is to ensure that small businesses have fair access to federal opportunities, particularly in categories where they have demonstrated capability and market presence. This tool enables agencies to:
- Meet statutory and internal goals for small business procurement
- Increase diversity and competition in federal sourcing
- Support the development of small business contractors across critical industries
- Simplify the acquisition process for small business set-aside procurements
Set-asides can be applied to individual task or delivery orders placed under a broader SIN, or in certain cases, GSA may designate an entire SIN as exclusively reserved for small business concerns.
These actions are authorized by the Small Business Administration (SBA) and implemented by GSA in coordination with FAR, the MAS Solicitation (47QSMD20R0001), and agency-specific procurement strategies.
How Set-Aside SINs Work
Set-aside SINs function by narrowing the competitive pool for a specific procurement action to businesses that meet certain eligibility criteria. The decision to set aside a requirement is made at the task order level by the agency Contracting Officer, unless a SIN has been pre-established by GSA as exclusively for small business.
Set-aside SINs may operate in one of the following ways:
- Agency-level set-aside orders — an agency decides to reserve a task order under a specific SIN for a small business category, even if the SIN includes both large and small vendors
- Pre-designated set-aside SINs — GSA, in collaboration with SBA, designates specific SINs as small business only (e.g., SIN 541519HEAL for Health IT may be restricted to small businesses in some procurement scenarios)
- Set-aside BPAs — agencies may create Blanket Purchase Agreements under SINs that are awarded only to small businesses or specific subcategories (WOSB, SDVOSB, etc.)
- Total vs. partial set-asides — a full set-aside excludes all other firms, while partial set-asides may divide the work between small and large contractors
Eligibility to participate in a set-aside procurement is verified through the company’s SBA certification and SAM.gov registration, where small business size standards and socioeconomic designations are validated.
Examples of Common Set-Aside SINs
While any SIN can be used for a set-aside order, certain SINs are more frequently leveraged for this purpose due to strong small business participation, market readiness, and alignment with small business program goals.
Examples of SINs frequently used for small business set-asides include:
- 54151S – IT Professional Services — often used for 8(a), HUBZone, and SDVOSB set-asides for software development, cybersecurity, and tech support
- 541611 – Management and Financial Consulting, Acquisition and Grants Management Support, and Business Program and Project Management Services — commonly used for WOSB and small business set-asides in consulting and admin support
- 561210FAC – Facilities Maintenance and Management — used for small business competition in custodial, HVAC, and base operations support
- 541519HEAL – Health Information Technology Services — may be designated as small business-only for certain opportunities involving EHR, telehealth, or health analytics
- OLM – Order-Level Materials — while not set aside on its own, OLMs can be used within set-aside SIN task orders as long as all vendors comply with applicable rules
These SINs support a wide array of agency missions and provide robust opportunities for small businesses to engage directly with federal buyers.
Contractor Considerations and Compliance
Contractors seeking to participate in set-aside SINs must understand not only the eligibility requirements but also the performance expectations, limitations on subcontracting, and compliance responsibilities associated with these opportunities.
Key considerations for contractors interested in set-aside SINs include:
- Maintain accurate small business certifications in SAM.gov and update any changes in size status or ownership
- Understand size standards and NAICS code applicability for each SIN, as these affect your eligibility to compete for set-aside orders
- Track task order-level set-asides in GSA eBuy, SAM.gov, and agency procurement forecasts to identify opportunities limited to your business type
- Be aware of the FAR’s limitations on subcontracting rules, especially if using teaming partners or subcontractors to fulfill set-aside contracts
- Ensure your GSA Advantage! catalog and GSA eLibrary profile reflect your correct set-aside categories so agencies can easily identify your eligibility
Failure to maintain accurate certification or to comply with set-aside rules can lead to protests, loss of award eligibility, or penalties under SBA regulations.
Conclusion
Set-Aside SINs are a strategic tool within the GSA MAS program that promote the federal government’s commitment to small business inclusion, competition, and equity. By enabling targeted procurement among small and disadvantaged businesses, these set-asides support agency goals while expanding opportunity across the federal supply base. Contractors that understand how set-asides work, maintain their eligibility, and engage proactively with GSA and agency buyers are well positioned to grow and thrive in the government market.
