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FAR 52.219-6 — Notice of Total Small Business Set-Aside

This clause is the operative notice that a requirement is reserved exclusively for small business concerns, establishing the size standard and NAICS code under which offerors must qualify.

Clause
FAR 52.219-6
Applies to
Total small business set-aside contracts
Flows down to subs
No
Primary risk
Ineligible award challenges

Key takeaways

  • Read the clause as incorporated in your contract — tailoring and alternates change obligations.
  • Flowdown obligations are your responsibility; a noncompliant subcontractor is your problem.
  • Document compliance contemporaneously; after-the-fact reconstruction rarely satisfies auditors.
  • When a clause is unclear, ask the contracting officer in writing before award, not after.

What the clause requires

Only concerns that qualify as small under the specified NAICS code and size standard may submit an offer, and any award resulting from the set-aside must be made to a small business. Contracting officers may cancel and resolicit if no acceptable small business offers are received.

How to comply in practice

Confirm your size status under the exact NAICS code cited in the notice before investing proposal resources, since the assigned code, not your general business classification, controls eligibility.

Common mistakes

Firms sometimes assume eligibility based on a related NAICS code they hold instead of verifying the specific code and size standard cited in the set-aside notice, leading to an ineligible offer.

FAQ

What if no small businesses respond?

The contracting officer may cancel the set-aside and resolicit on an unrestricted basis.

Does the NAICS code matter?

Yes, size status is determined against the specific NAICS code and size standard identified in the solicitation.

Can a large business submit an offer?

No, only small businesses under the cited size standard are eligible.

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