XL EagleFAR Part 19 (Small Business Programs)
FAR Part 19 stands for Small Business Programs. FAR Part 19 contains the rules for federal small business programs. It covers size standards, small business set-asides, the 8(a) program, HUBZone, service-disabled veteran-owned, and women-owned small business programs, along with subcontracting plans for large primes.
It also contains key rules like the Rule of Two for setting aside contracts, limitations on subcontracting, the nonmanufacturer rule, and the Certificate of Competency process. Many of these rules come from the Small Business Act and SBA regulations in Title 13 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
Why it matters to a small contractor
Part 19 is the reason small firms can compete without facing giant companies on every bid. Know your NAICS size standard, keep your SAM.gov certifications accurate, and understand how much of a set-aside job you must do with your own people. Part 19 is also being rewritten as part of the FAR overhaul, so watch for changes.
Example
A small landscaping firm sees a mowing contract set aside for small business under NAICS 561730. They confirm their average annual receipts are under that code's size standard before bidding.
FAR Part 19: common questions
What is a small business set-aside?
It is a contract where only small businesses may compete. The agency sets it aside when it expects enough capable small firms to bid at a fair price.
Is FAR Part 19 changing?
It is part of the Revolutionary FAR Overhaul and was still in formal rulemaking as of mid-2026. Check acquisition.gov for the latest text.
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