Working with Sandia

Small Business Categories

Small businesses we work with should have the following characteristics:

  • An independently owned and operated entity.
  • Not dominant in the field of operation in which it is bidding on government contracts.
  • Meets criteria concerning number of employees or annual receipts established by the Small Business Administration (SBA). Concerns are "affiliates," when one controls or has the power to control another or when a third party controls or has the power to control both.

North American Industry Classification System (NAICS)

  • The SBA establishes size standards on an industry-by-industry basis (13 CFR 121). Small business size standards are determined by classifications of the product or services as found in the NAICS Manual. Click on the NAICS category on the business section of the homepage. The NAICS table of codes is also available.
  • The principal product or services provided to Sandia National Laboratories should be the classification used to determine small business status, particularly if a business provides products and services from one or more industry classifications.

Sandia is committed to acquiring products and services from small and small and socio-economic businesses such as:

Small Disadvantaged Business

A small business at least 51 percent owned and controlled by a socially and economically disadvantaged individual or individuals. African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Asian Pacific Americans, Subcontinent Asian Americans, and Native Americans are presumed to qualify. Other individuals can qualify if a "preponderance of the evidence" shows they are disadvantaged. All individuals must have a net worth of less than $750,000, excluding the equity of the business and primary residence. Successful applicants must also meet applicable size standards for small businesses in their industry.

Woman-Owned Small Business

A small business concern at least 51 percent owned by one or more women; or, in the case of any publicly owned business, at least 51 percent of the stock is owned by one or more women; and whose management and daily business operations are controlled by one or more women.

Veteran-Owned Small Business

A small business concern not less than 51 percent of which is owned by one or more veterans or, in the case of any publicly owned business, not less than 51 percent of the stock owned by one or more veterans; and the management and daily business operations of which are controlled by one or more veterans.

Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business

A small business concern not less than 51 percent of which is owned by one or more service-disabled veterans or, in the case of any publicly owned business, not less than 51 percent of the stock is owned by one or more service-disabled veterans; and the management and daily business operations of which are controlled by one or more service-disabled veterans.

8(a) Business

A firm owned and operated by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals and eligible to receive federal contracts under the Small Business Administration’s 8(a) Business Development Program and that appears on the List of Qualified 8(a) Small Business Concerns maintained by the Small Business Administration (SBA). To learn more about the program, visit the SBA's 8(a) program website.

HUBZone Business

A historically underutilized business zone that is an area located within one or more qualified census tracts, qualified non-metropolitan counties, or lands within the external boundaries of an Indian reservation, and that appears on the List of Qualified HUBZone Small Business Concerns maintained by the SBA. The SBA issues certifications to those that qualify. To learn more, visit the SBA's HUBZone website.

Where can small businesses market their business?

Small Businesses can register their company in the System For Award Management (SAM). The database is a resource for government and other agencies to locate small businesses that can meet their procurement needs.