HUBDC

What is HUBDC?

HUBDC is a partnership between the District of Columbia, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), and federal government agencies awarding contracts through the SBA's Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone) program. HUBDC is designed to maximize the participation of small business located in HUBZones. SBA’s HUBZone program is designed to help small businesses in distressed areas gain preferential access to federal contracting opportunities. In Fiscal Year 2011, District of Columbia HUBZone firms were awarded approximately $321 million in prime contracting, including approximately $78 million in HUBZone set-asides.

The second of two events, the HUBDC Opportunities Session, will take place on April 25, 2012. To participate, register here. HUBZone certified firms are invited to participate in a session to provide valuable insights about: specific business opportunities, teaming and partnering with prime contractors, and responding to solicitations and sources sought.

This event is the follow-up to the successful March 5th HUBDC Boot Camp. The HUBDC initiative is the first of 68 HUBZone outreach initiatives that will take place at SBA District Offices across the country this Spring. The HUBZone Outreach initiative will encourage businesses to participate in the HUBZone program, which promotes economic development in geographic regions that have been historically underutilized as business zones.

What is a HUBZone?

HUBZones are SBA-designated geographic regions that have been historically underutilized. A HUBZone may be: a qualified census tract, a qualified nonmetropolitan county, or a qualified base closure area. Most of the HUBZones located in the District are qualified base closure areas or qualified census tracts.

What are the benefits of the HUBZone program?

The HUBZone program helps small businesses in urban and rural communities gain preferential access to federal procurement opportunities. HUBZone businesses receive the following advantages:

Access to competitive and sole source contracting;
A ten percent (10%) price evaluation preference in full and open contract competitions; and,
Subcontracting opportunities

The federal government has a goal of awarding three percent (3%) of all federal prime contracting dollars to HUBZone-certified small businesses. In Fiscal Year 2011, District-based HUBZone firms were awarded approximately $321 million in federal prime contract actions, including approximately $78 million in HUBZone set-asides.

Is my business eligible to apply for the HUBZone program?

Before your small business can apply for the HUBZone program, you must be eligible. To qualify for the program, a business (except tribally-owned concerns) must meet the following criteria:

It must be a small business by SBA standards;
It must be owned and controlled at least 51% by U.S. citizens, or a Community Development Corporation, or an agricultural cooperative, or an Indian tribe;
Its principal office must be located within a ' Historically Underutilized Business Zone,' (HUBZone finder here) which includes lands considered Indian Country and military facilities closed by the Base Realignment and Closure Act; and,
At least 35% of its employees must reside in a HUBZone. Reside means to live in a primary residence at a place for at least 180 days, or as a currently registered voter, and with intent to live there indefinitely

Existing businesses that choose to move to qualified areas are eligible for HUBZone certification. To fulfill the requirement that 35% of a HUBZone firm's employees reside in the HUBZone, employees must live in a primary residence within that area for at least 180 days or be a currently registered voter in that area.

How can I learn more about HUBDC?

Register for the HUBDC Opportunities event being hosted by the U.S. Small Business Administration, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Department of the Treasury, DSLBD, the D.C. Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development and the D.C. Department of Employment Services at 4058 Minnesota Ave NE on April 25th from 9:00 A.M. - 2:00 P.M. Registration is required and can be completed here;
Visit the SBA's HUBZone website.