{"id":1440,"date":"2021-12-10T01:01:20","date_gmt":"2021-12-10T01:01:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/network.demandstar.com\/?p=1440"},"modified":"2022-08-11T16:22:25","modified_gmt":"2022-08-11T16:22:25","slug":"hubzone-historically-underutilized-business-zone","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/network.demandstar.com\/blogs\/hubzone-historically-underutilized-business-zone\/","title":{"rendered":"SBA HUBZone Supplier Diversity Classifications | DemandStar"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

 Diversity Classifications: Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Diversity classifications can apply to business owners and specific geographic locations, as is the case with the Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone) program<\/a>. Offered through the Small Business Administration (SBA), HUBZone supports small business growth in historically underutilized business zones, aiding those small businesses which are in economically struggling communities. As government procurement agents prepare to find vendors to fulfill goals and spending allocated by President Biden\u2019s $2 trillion<\/a> infrastructure plan, they will likely be looking for vendors who also meet the standards of their supplier diversity programs.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Supplier diversity programs exist across many government agencies. The goal is to support underrepresented groups, or in this case, areas, by setting a percentage of suppliers that the department wants to hire that have diverse backgrounds or are located in economically struggling communities. For a company to qualify for the HUBZone certification, at least 35 percent of employees must live in an area that has been designated as a HUBZone<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What are some recent changes to the SBA HUBZone program?<\/strong>
As noted on the SBA\u2019s website, there have been some changes to the HUBZone program<\/a> to make it easier for businesses to qualify and participate. The SBA has committed to a better customer experience by streamlining the application process, providing faster decisions on applications and qualifications, and expanding assistance to help applicants through the process. Additionally, they have added some program features including a \u201cLegacy\u201d HUBZone provision to count long-term HUBZone residents, and strengthening and simplifying the recertification process. Finally, they are looking to include more rural areas and doing their best to create predictability and long-term investments with standardized maps and eligibility guidelines.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are the benefits and how do you qualify for the SBA HUBZone program?<\/strong>
The SBA HUBZone program offers those that are certified an opportunity for limited competition for certain contracts as well as preferential consideration throughout a standard bidding process. It also makes the business eligible for set-aside contracts<\/a> and offers a 10 percent price evaluation for open competition contracts. Qualifications listed on the program webpage<\/a> include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n