The 8(a) program helps to provide a level playing field for small businesses owned by socially and economically disadvantaged people or entities, the government limits competition for certain contracts to businesses that participate in the 8(a) Business Development Program.
Disadvantaged businesses in the 8(a) Program can:
- Compete for set-aside and sole-source contracts in the program
- Get a Business Opportunity Specialist to help navigate federal contracting
- Form joint ventures with established businesses through the SBA's mentor-protégé program
- Receive management and technical assistance, including business training, counseling, marketing assistance, and high-level executive development
The SBA 8(a) Business Development (BD) Program simplifies the federal procurement process for certified business participants. The 8(a) BD Program was developed to enable federal government program managers to save time, effort, and cost in the procurement process and to protect the interests of small business concerns. Overall, this program serves to preserve free competitive enterprise and to maintain and strengthen the overall economy of our nation.
With projects of up to $4.5 million / $7 million (services / manufacturing, respectively), the 8(a) BD Program allows for direct contracting without a lengthy competitive process. This allows a project to begin in a timely manner. Bottom line: time sensitive projects can get started in days instead of months.
Disadvantaged businesses in the 8(a) Program can:
Choosing an 8(a) firm allows your organization to work directly with a company that is both experienced and efficient in consulting to develop and implement business, technology and engineering initiatives. The benefits of using an 8(a)-contract vehicle include:
- Significantly faster procurement process – start the project in days instead of months
- Ability to procure both goods and services
- Streamlined approach to the project - due to reduction in bureaucracy
Decide on an 8(a) contractor? Here’s what to do next:
Step 1: Agency Offering (FAR19.804-2)
- Send a letter of intent that follows the guidelines provided in FAR 19.804-2.
- Email your letter of intent to award procurement to the SBA for acceptance: RDOfferLetters@sba.gov
Step 2: SBA Acceptance (FAR 19.804-3 & 13 CFR 124.503(a)
SBA’s letter of acceptance will be responded to within the following timelines:
- Within 2 working days of receipt
- Contracts less than $150K
- Within 5 working days of receipt
- Contracts between $150K and $4.0M
- Within 10 working days of receipt
- Contracts greater than $4.0M
SBA 8(a) Business Development Program
Decide on an 8(a) contractor? Here’s what to do next:
Acquisitions valued at or below (SAT)
$3,500-$150,000
No offering and acceptance required. Agency can directly award a firm a requirement that is at or below the Simplified Acquisition Threshold (SAT).
Must obtain an eligibility determination from Servicing SBA District Office.
Sole Source Procurements
Up to $4,500,000 or $7,000,000 (manufacturing)
- Offering and acceptance is required.
- Allow 5 working days at District office level.
- On 6th day acceptance may be assumed with the exception for provision of FAR 19.808-1 for 8(a) sole-source procurements that exceed $22 million. *
Offer and acceptance serves as an eligibility determination.
Competitive Acquisitions
Greater than $4,000,000 or $7,000,000 (manufacturing)
- Offering and acceptance is required.
- Allow 5 working days at District office level. If necessary, 5 working days at Associate Administrator Level; on 11th day acceptance may be assumed.
Must obtain an eligibility determination prior to award.
