H.  Relationship of Small Business Socioeconomic Contracting Programs (8(a), HUBZone, SDVOSB, and WOSB) With Small Businesses

Comment: A number of respondents commented that the parity rule favors the small business socioeconomic contracting programs over general small businesses and that FAR 19.203 could be interpreted to mean a contracting officer is mandated to make an award under one of the small business socioeconomic contracting programs, to the exclusion of other small businesses.

Response: SBA's regulations require acquisitions above the micro-purchase threshold and at or below the SAT to be reserved for small business. This requirement does not preclude the contracting officer from having the discretion to award under one of the small business socioeconomic contracting programs (8(a), HUBZone, SDVOSB, and WOSB).  However, above the SAT, the contracting officer shall consider the small business socioeconomic contracting programs before a general small business set-aside.