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Small business certification for government contracts: SBA programs and California SB and DVBE
Two separate systems certify small firms for public work. For federal contracts, SBA certifies 8(a), women-owned, HUBZone and veteran-owned businesses through certifications.sba.gov, and a firm’s size is measured against SBA’s standard for its NAICS code. For California state contracts, DGS certifies Small Business, SB for public works and Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise firms through Cal eProcure. This guide sets out who each program is for, who certifies it and where to apply, with the size figures for cleaning and facility support codes, as of November 2026.
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Size first, then certification
Whether a firm counts as small is a size question, answered by SBA’s standard for the NAICS code a solicitation names; the 8(a), WOSB, HUBZone and veteran programs sit on top of it. SBA states its size standards as a maximum number of employees or a maximum of average annual receipts for the business together with its affiliates, and they apply across SBA programs unless a rule says otherwise. The receipts and employee figures go into the Assertions section of a SAM.gov registration.
| NAICS code | Industry | Size standard (average annual receipts) |
|---|---|---|
| 561720 | Janitorial Services | $22.0 million |
| 561210 | Facilities Support Services | $47.0 million |
| 561730 | Landscaping Services | $9.5 million |
| 561740 | Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning Services | $8.5 million |
| 561790 | Other Services to Buildings and Dwellings | $9.0 million |
Figures are from 13 CFR 121.201 as shown on eCFR on 2026-11-06. The higher 561210 figure applies only to a buy that needs three or more separate activities in different industries; if one activity is 50 percent or more of the value, the buy takes that activity’s code and size standard instead.
Federal SBA certification programs at a glance
| Program | Who it is for | Who certifies | Where to apply |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8(a) Business Development | Small firms at least 51 percent owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged U.S. citizens, plus certain tribal, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian and community development entities | SBA | certifications.sba.gov, after SAM.gov registration |
| Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) | Small firms at least 51 percent owned and controlled by women who are U.S. citizens and run daily operations and long-term decisions | SBA, or an SBA-approved third-party certifier | certifications.sba.gov |
| Economically Disadvantaged WOSB (EDWOSB) | WOSBs whose owning women also meet SBA’s economic limits | SBA, or an SBA-approved third-party certifier | certifications.sba.gov |
| HUBZone | Small firms with the principal office in a HUBZone and at least 35 percent of employees living in one | SBA | certifications.sba.gov |
| VOSB and SDVOSB (VetCert) | Small firms at least 51 percent owned and controlled by veterans, or by veterans the VA rates as service-disabled | SBA, since January 1, 2023 | certifications.sba.gov |
SBA 8(a) certification
8(a) is a business development program with a fixed term, not a permanent label. SBA lists these economic limits for the disadvantaged owners: personal net worth of $850,000 or less (official retirement accounts excluded), adjusted gross income of $400,000 or less and total assets of $6.5 million or less. Applicants also show good character and potential for success, for example two years in business.
- Term: up to nine years, split into a four-year developmental stage and a five-year transitional stage; an individual takes part once in a lifetime.
- Applying: complete the eligibility questionnaire on SBA Certifications, identify primary NAICS codes, register in SAM, then apply. Once the file is complete, SBA has 90 days to decide.
- Staying in: participants certify each year and complete an annual review with their SBA district office.
- Sole-source ceilings: $5.5 million for most acquisitions and $8.5 million for manufacturing codes, higher for some tribal entity-owned firms.
WOSB, EDWOSB, HUBZone and VetCert
WOSB and EDWOSB. SBA calls its online WOSB certification free. EDWOSB adds limits for each owning woman: personal net worth of $850,000, adjusted gross income of $400,000 averaged over three years, and personal assets of $6.5 million. SBA aims to decide within 90 calendar days of a complete package and requires a program examination every three years.
HUBZone. Certified firms can compete for HUBZone set-asides and receive a 10 percent price evaluation preference in full and open competitions. Recertification comes every three years, and SBA lists HUBZone map updates during 2026 and in July 2028.
VetCert. Veteran certification moved from the Department of Veterans Affairs to SBA on January 1, 2023. Under the 2024 NDAA, veteran firms needed SBA certification for subcontracting and goaling purposes; the self-certification grace period ended December 22, 2024, and VA sole-source and set-aside work has no self-certification route.
How set-asides and federal goals use these programs
A certification makes a firm eligible to compete for reserved work; it does not reserve any work for that firm. SBA lists a government-wide goal of 23 percent of prime contract dollars to small businesses, with 5 percent each to women-owned, service-disabled veteran-owned and small disadvantaged businesses and 3 percent to HUBZone firms. Each contracting officer decides whether a buy is set aside, using the FAR 19.502-2 tests, and some set-asides are limited to 8(a), HUBZone, WOSB or SDVOSB firms. A sole-source contract skips competition, usually because only one business can meet the need; some are posted as an intent to sole source, and other vendors can still respond.
Winning a set-aside services contract above the $350,000 simplified acquisition threshold (FAR 2.101, FAC 2026-01) brings a duty: the small prime may not pay more than 50 percent of the amount the government pays it to firms that are not similarly situated (13 CFR 125.6). Our guide on how to bid on government cleaning contracts covers the set-aside rules in the wider bidding process.
California SB, MB, SB-PW and DVBE certification
California’s programs are run by DGS’s Office of Small Business and DVBE Services (OSDS) and are separate from SBA’s: each system has its own application and its own rules. The criteria below are as DGS’s certification page and its April 2026 brochure state them; DGS notes eligibility can change after publication.
| Program | Who it is for | Who certifies | Where to apply |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small Business (SB) | Independent firms, not dominant in their field, with the principal office in California and California-domiciled owners or officers; with affiliates, 100 or fewer employees and average annual gross receipts of $19 million or less over three tax years, or a manufacturer with 100 or fewer employees | DGS OSDS | Cal eProcure certification section |
| Microbusiness (MB) | An SB designation, applied automatically when average gross receipts are $6 million or less, or a manufacturer has 25 or fewer employees | Automatic on the SB profile | No separate application |
| SB for the Purpose of Public Works (SB-PW) | Public works contracts only (PCC 1101); same tests as SB but up to 200 employees and $46 million in average receipts | DGS OSDS | Cal eProcure certification section |
| Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) | Firms at least 51 percent owned (an LLC 100 percent) and managed day to day by California-resident veterans with a service-connected disability of at least 10 percent; the home office must be in the U.S., not necessarily California | DGS OSDS | Cal eProcure certification section |
DVBE applicants prove the disability with the VA’s entitlement letter, dated within six months; a DD214 is not required. They also provide three years of federal tax returns, or each year in business.
California preferences, goals and the DVBE incentive
- Goals, not quotas: state agencies set a minimum goal of 25 percent small business participation (Government Code 14838), and each department’s contract spending carries a DVBE goal of at least 3 percent (Military and Veterans Code 999.2).
- SB preference: certified SBs and MBs receive a 5 percent preference in evaluation, on the lowest responsible bid or the highest score. A non-small bidder that subcontracts at least 25 percent of its net bid price to certified SBs or MBs can earn up to 5 percent. Statute caps the preference per bid.
- DVBE incentive: 1 to 5 percent, applied during evaluation to bidders proposing the DVBE participation the solicitation names. It lowers the evaluated price or adds points; the price the state pays stays the same.
- SB/DVBE Option: a department can contract directly with a certified SB or DVBE after quotes from at least two certified firms, up to $249,999.99 for goods, services and IT, and $484,000 for public works, effective March 18, 2026 (DGS Bulletin BL 26-02).
Applying in California and keeping the certification
Register in Cal eProcure first, then open the certification section, review the requirements, choose the certifications and upload documents. The self-paced application ends Approved, Waiting for Review or Denied; a file waiting for review generally takes up to 30 days, and a complete application submitted at least five business days before a state bid is due can be expedited, without a promise of approval in time. DGS charges no fee for any of its certifications.
Certification lasts up to two years, with online recertification in the 90 days before it expires. Certified firms face re-verification and random audits, and every certified SB and DVBE on state work must perform a commercially useful function: it is responsible for a distinct part of the work, actually performs, manages or supervises it, and subcontracts no more than industry practice. Primes must use the DVBE subcontractors named in their bids unless the state approves a substitution. DGS reminds firms that certification does not guarantee a contract.
Getting advice on eligibility
SBA district offices and APEX Accelerator counselors help with federal programs, and OSDS answers California certification questions at Certification@dgs.ca.gov or (916) 375-4940. This page is general information, not legal or tax advice; SBA, DGS and each solicitation decide eligibility.
Cleaning and facility service, scoped to your building
Continental provides janitorial, porter, floor care, grounds and maintenance service for commercial facilities, from Northern California across the country. If you manage a building and want a clear scope and price, request a quote.
A few useful answers
Common questions
What is the SBA size standard for janitorial services?
For NAICS 561720, Janitorial Services, it is $22.0 million in average annual receipts, per 13 CFR 121.201 as shown on eCFR on 2026-11-06. Facilities Support Services, 561210, is $47.0 million.
Who certifies SDVOSB firms now?
SBA does, through VetCert at certifications.sba.gov. Veteran small business certification moved from the Department of Veterans Affairs to SBA on January 1, 2023.
How long does SBA take to decide an 8(a) application?
SBA has 90 days to decide once the application is complete. If something is missing, SBA tells the applicant in writing first.
Does California DVBE certification require a California office?
No. The firm’s home office must be in the United States but not necessarily California. The disabled veteran owners must live in California and hold a service-connected disability rating of at least 10 percent.
Is there a fee for California SB or DVBE certification?
No. DGS charges no fee for any California certification. Applications go through Cal eProcure, and certification lasts up to two years.
Does a certification guarantee government contracts?
No. A certification lets a firm compete for set-asides or earn preferences. Each contracting officer decides whether to set a buy aside, and DGS reminds certified firms to market to agencies.