If your business falls under a historically underutilized geographic area then you should consider obtaining the HUBZone certification . The program is beneficial for small businesses because they get a considerable amount of support from the government of the United States.

In order to get into the HUBZone grants , you will need to make your business meet the HUBZone certification requirements. Once you become a participant of the program you will be getting multiple HUBZone certification benefits.

If you cannot figure out how to get into the program then consider hiring a HUBZone certification consultant. The consultant will provide you with effective guidance and advice so that you win business in the federal market and achieve growth consistently. In this blog, we are going to let you know about the HUBZone program. We will also discuss the HUBZone certification requirements and the process that you must follow.

What is a HUBZone program?  

The Small Business Administration (SBA) of the United States runs the HUBZone program for small businesses of the country. The HUBZone program has been developed by the US government to support the small businesses that operate and employ people in Historically Underutilized Business Zones. The program was created in response to the HUBZone Empowerment Act in the year 1998. The program helps small businesses gain preferential access to federal procurement opportunities. The government all provides funds to the HUBZone certified companies. You also need to opt for HUBZone certification renewal which will take two to three days to complete the process of renewal. Depending on the complexity of the application the time frame may vary.Certified HUBZone companies need to recertify for the HUBZone program once a year.

HUBZone certification requirements

To obtain the HUBZone certification and get into the HUBZone program you will need to fulfill the HUBZone certification requirements. So make sure to qualify your business by fulfilling the eligibility criteria.

In this section, we have mentioned all the eligibility criteria so that you can fulfill all the HUBZone certification requirements to become a participant of the program.

• According to the standards of the Small Business Administration, a business has to be small.
• The applicant of the HUBZone program should have ownership of at least 51% of the company.
• The applicant of the HUBZone program should control at least 51% of the company.
• Business owners must have citizenship of the United States to get the certification.
• Business owners can belong to specific groups such as a community development corporation, an agricultural cooperative, an Alaska Native corporation, an Indian tribe, and a native Hawaiian organization.
• The main office of the business has to be located in the Historically Underutilized Business zones.
• 35% of employees of the business should be living in the HUBZones.

Apply for the certification

It is necessary to get your business certified by the Small Business Administration (SBA) before you participate in the HUBZone program. We have mentioned all the necessary steps that should be taken in order to obtain the HUBZone certification and get into the program.

1. Make sure to create a SAM.gov account for your business.
2. Make sure to have a General Login System account for your business.
3. By using the General Login System, apply for HUBZone certification.
4. For time-sensitive instructions, check your email and electronically verify your application within two business days.
5. Within three business days, submit all requested supporting documentation. Be prepared to respond to requests for additional information from the team of HUBZone.
6. Get your status updated in DSBS and SAM.

Benefits of HUBZone Certification

HUBZone-certified companies can immediately take advantage of the many HUBZone benefits. The major benefit that you can get from the program is that you become a part of the group of bidders that are in historically underutilized business zones. It is because being in the program will help you to become part of the group of bidders that are in historically underutilized business zones. By becoming a participant in the program, you will be able to get government contracting opportunities.

• Your business will be getting set-aside contracts from the government agencies
• Your business will be getting sole-source contracts from government agencies.
• If you try to obtain SBA government contracts, you can get a 10% price preference when you meet certain conditions during the proposal evaluation stage.
• The federal government has set a goal of awarding 3% of all capital for federal prime contracts to HUBZone-certified small businesses.
• You can get sub-contracting opportunities as well.

There are many other benefits that you can get from the HUBZone program. We have mentioned only the major and common benefits that HUBZone-certified businesses can get.

Conclusion

Therefore, you should consider obtaining the HUBZone certification if your business falls under the geographic location which is considered a HUBZone.