Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB)
SDB certified? Federal agencies are required to contract with you.
The federal government has a goal to award 5 percent of all prime contracting dollars to small disadvantaged businesses — a target that spans all agencies and all contract types. The contracts are out there. ContractRadar makes it easy to find the ones that match your business.
Start finding SDB contracts — $30/monthWhat is a Small Disadvantaged Business?
A Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB) is a small business owned and controlled by individuals who are both socially and economically disadvantaged. Socially disadvantaged individuals are those who have been subjected to racial or ethnic prejudice or cultural bias — including Black Americans, Hispanic Americans, Native Americans, Asian Pacific Americans, and other groups. Economic disadvantage refers to limited access to capital and credit compared to non-disadvantaged individuals in the same industry.
SDB certification is administered by the SBA. Certifying as an SDB gives your business access to the 5 percent government-wide procurement goal, which translates to over $50 billion in annual federal contracting spending directed toward SDB firms, per SBA procurement scorecards.
SDB status can benefit your business in two main ways. In full and open competitions, federal agencies may apply a price evaluation adjustment that effectively treats your bid as 10 percent lower — giving you a competitive advantage without changing your actual price. Additionally, SDB-owned businesses that complete the SBA’s 8(a) program gain access to sole-source and competitive set-aside contracts that non-8(a) firms cannot bid on.
SDB and the 8(a) program: what’s the difference?
All businesses participating in the SBA’s 8(a) Business Development Program are also SDBs — the two designations overlap. But SDB certification alone does not automatically make your business eligible for 8(a) set-aside contracts. The 8(a) program is a nine-year program with additional requirements including SBA approval, annual reviews, and limits on the types of work you can pursue through the program.
If you are SDB-certified and considering the 8(a) program, applying gives you access to a much larger universe of set-aside contracts — including sole-source awards and contracts restricted to 8(a) participants only. Many SDBs find that going through 8(a) significantly increases their access to federal contracting opportunities.
ContractRadar supports both SDB and 8(a) profiles. If you hold both, you can select both in your profile and we’ll match you against all applicable set-aside types.
How ContractRadar works for small disadvantaged businesses
ContractRadar is a simple tool that monitors SAM.gov daily and emails small disadvantaged businesses when matching federal contract opportunities are posted. No training required — set up your profile in minutes, and get matching contract alerts emailed to you every day.
Set up your SDB profile
Create your ContractRadar account and add your SDB certification status, along with any other certifications you hold (such as 8(a), WOSB, or HUBZone). Add your NAICS codes and the states where you do business.
We scan SAM.gov every day
ContractRadar downloads new SAM.gov postings daily and filters for contracts that match your certification status, NAICS codes, and service area. You don't need a SAM.gov account or any government system access.
Matching contracts come to your inbox
When a federal contract opportunity fits your profile, you get an email with the details and a direct link to the SAM.gov posting. Your full match history is saved in your account so you can review it any time.
Simple to set up. $30/month, nothing more.
ContractRadar is a simple tool that monitors SAM.gov daily and emails small disadvantaged businesses when matching set-aside contracts are posted. No training required — set up your profile in minutes. The price is $30 a month, one flat rate, no upsells. New accounts start with a free trial month. Cancel any time from your profile page.
SDB certification is a real advantage in federal contracting — but only if you actually find and bid on the right contracts. ContractRadar keeps you informed so you can spend your time on bids, not on searching.
ContractRadar for other small business certifications
New to federal contracting? Read our guide to SAM.gov contract monitoring for small businesses or visit the FAQ.