The purpose of the Program is to -
(a) Assess the ability of small businesses to compete successfully in certain industry categories without competition being restricted by the use of small business set-asides. This portion of the program is limited to the designated industry groups listed in section 19.1005.
(b) Expand small business participation in 10 targeted industry categories through continued use of set-aside procedures, increased management attention, and specifically tailored acquisition procedures, as implemented through agency procedures.
(c) Measure the extent to which awards are made to a new category of small businesses known as emerging small businesses (ESB’s), and to provide for certain acquisitions to be reserved for ESB participation only. This portion of the program is also limited to the designated industry groups listed in section 19.1005.
