8(a) Business Development Program (8(a))
A federal program that helps small disadvantaged businesses compete for government contracts through business development assistance.
How 8(a) Business Development Program works in supplier diversity
Administered by the SBA, the 8(a) program provides participating businesses with access to sole-source contracts, mentorship, training, and technical assistance. Companies can participate for up to nine years, with the first four years in a developmental stage and the final five years in a transitional stage.
Real-world example
The certification quiz checks your business against every certification we track. The result is a ranked list with the buyers each one opens. Or open the certification reference for the full guides.