8(a) Business Development

Sole-Source Contracts:

• Up to $4 million for services (no competition required)
• Up to $7 million for manufacturing
• Federal agencies can award contracts directly to your company

Set-Aside Contracts:

• Compete only against other 8(a) firms
• Less competition than full and open procurement
• Government has 5% 8(a) contracting goal

Mentor-Protégé Program:

• Partner with experienced contractors
• Joint venture on larger contracts
• Learn from established government contractors

Business Development Support:

• Assigned Business Opportunity Specialist
• Training on government contracting
• Technical assistance
• Access to SBA 7(a) and 504 loans

8(a) eligibility requires meeting both social and economic disadvantage criteria:

Social Disadvantage (must demonstrate): You must be a U.S. citizen who has been subjected to racial or ethnic prejudice or cultural bias. The following groups are presumed socially disadvantaged:

• Black Americans
• Hispanic Americans
• Native Americans (including Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians)
• Asian Pacific Americans
• Subcontinent Asian Americans

Others may qualify by demonstrating individual social disadvantage through specific instances of discrimination.

Economic Disadvantage:

• Personal net worth must not exceed $850,000 (excluding primary residence and business ownership)
• Adjusted gross income averaged over 3 years must not exceed $400,000
• Total assets must not exceed $6.5 million

Business Requirements:

• 51% unconditionally owned by the disadvantaged individual(s)
• Management and daily operations controlled by disadvantaged owner(s)
• At least 2 years in business (may be waived in some cases)
• "Small" under SBA size standards for your NAICS code
• Good character demonstrated by principals
• Potential for success (financial capacity, performance record)

Personal Documents:

• Birth certificate or naturalization certificate
• Personal tax returns (3 years)
• Personal financial statement (SBA Form 413)
• Resume of disadvantaged owner(s)
• Statement of social disadvantage with specific examples

Business Documents:

• Business tax returns (2-3 years)
• Current financial statements
• Business plan
• Capability statement
• Articles of incorporation/organization
• Operating agreement or bylaws
• Stock certificates or membership documents
• Commercial lease
• All government contract history

Additional Forms:

• SBA Form 912 (Statement of Personal History)
• SBA Form 1010A/B/C (Business entities)
• SBA Form 1919 (Certification)

Step 1: Register in SAM.gov You must have an active SAM.gov registration before applying for 8(a).

Step 2: Complete the Online Application Apply at certify.sba.gov. The application is extensive - budget several hours.

Step 3: Submit Documentation Upload all required documents. Missing documents significantly delay processing.

Step 4: SBA Review The SBA reviews your application for eligibility. They may request additional information.

Step 5: Site Visit (if required) SBA may conduct a site visit for clarification.

Step 6: Certification Decision SBA makes a determination within 90 days of complete application. Complex cases may take 180+ days.

Step 7: Business Development Assistance Once certified, you're assigned a Business Opportunity Specialist (BOS) to help you succeed.

8(a) certification lasts 9 years but requires annual reviews:

Annual Review Requirements:

• Submit annual business financial statements
• Report any changes in ownership or control
• Meet with your Business Opportunity Specialist
• Demonstrate continued eligibility

Continuing Eligibility:

• Net worth limits change during the program
• Must remain small under SBA size standards
• Must maintain disadvantaged ownership and control
• Must demonstrate continued business development

Graduation:

• Automatic at end of 9-year term
• May be early terminated for exceeding size standards
• May request extension in certain circumstances