What is 8(a) Business Development Program?

Overview

The 8(a) Business Development program is a program run by the Small Business Administration (SBA) in the United States. The program is designed to help small, socially and economically disadvantaged businesses gain access to government contracts and other opportunities.

To be eligible for the 8(a) program, a business must be at least 51% owned and controlled by one or more individuals who are socially and economically disadvantaged, and the business must also meet other SBA requirements, such as being a small business according to SBA size standards.

Once a business is accepted into the 8(a) program, it can receive specialized business training, counseling, marketing assistance, and access to government contracting opportunities on a sole-source basis (i.e., without competition). The program also offers a nine-year term for participating businesses.

Overall, the 8(a) certification is an opportunity for small, disadvantaged businesses to receive support and access to opportunities that they might not otherwise have.

Benefits of 8(a) Program

Benefits of the 8(a) Business Development Program include:

• Access to sole-source and competitive set-aside contracts
• Business development assistance from dedicated Business Opportunity Specialists
• Assistance from federal procurement experts
• Opportunities to create joint ventures with established businesses
• Priority access to federal surplus property

To learn more about the 8(a) program, go to SBA website: 8(a) Business Development program.

Step by Step Guidance

Visit SBA website: Get Certified and follow a step by step process to get certified.