# 19.502-1 Requirements for setting aside acquisitions.

(a) The contracting officer shall set aside an individual acquisition or class of acquisitions for competition among small businesses when-

(1) It is determined to be in the interest of maintaining or mobilizing the Nation’s full productive capacity, war or national defense programs; or

(2) Assuring that a fair proportion of Government contracts in each industry category is placed with small business concerns; and the circumstances described in 19.502-2 or 19.502-3(a) exist.

(b) This requirement does not apply to purchases of $3,500 or less ($20,000 or less for acquisitions as described in 13.201(g)(1)), or purchases from required sources of supply under part 8(e.g.,Committee for Purchase From People Who are Blind or Severely Disabled, and Federal Supply Schedule contracts).