What does the term 'set aside award goals' refer to?

The term 'set aside award goals' specifically refers to targets for specific types of vendors, particularly those that belong to underrepresented groups. These goals are established to ensure that a certain percentage of government contracts are awarded to small businesses, minority-owned businesses, women-owned businesses, or other categories of businesses that may face challenges in competing for contracts. The purpose of these goals is to promote diversity and inclusion within procurement processes and to foster small business growth in the economy.

By setting these goals, government agencies and organizations can track progress and ensure that they are meeting their commitments to support diverse suppliers. This practice not only helps promote equality in business opportunities but also aims to stimulate competition and innovation in the marketplace by involving a wider range of vendors.