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 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 under part  8(e.g., Committee for Purchase From People Who are Blind or Severely Disabled).