Know About 8a Certification Application & Get Certified

The SBA 8a Business Development Program is a government program of the Small Business Administration (SBA) that helps small and disadvantaged enterprises to win government contracts in the federal marketplace. 

• The government's annual goal is to award at least 5% of all contracts to such companies.

A disadvantaged entity is an organization that is wholly owned and controlled by one or more individuals defined by the SBA as being socially and economically disadvantaged.

• Such individuals are members of certain groups such as African Americans, Native Americans, and Hispanics, or are experiencing social disadvantages based on race, country of origin, gender, physical fitness, and so on.

Basically, it refers to socially and economically disadvantaged individuals.

Now let’s understand the 8a certification application process to get started.

Understand the 8a certification application process

To get approval from the SBA, the small business applicant should meet the eligibility criteria and go through the 8a certification application process. If your 8a certification application is denied by the SBA then you will be barred from reapplying for a period of 90 days.

The 8a certification application process is a lengthy and detailed one. Part of this 8a certification application process is completed online through the SBA’s portal. The other part of the 8a certification application requires a paper application which consists of 300 to 500 pages in length. The applicant must follow a definite format so that it is congruent with the review process of the SBA. It is expected that the SBA will complete its review of an 8a certification application in a period of three months from the date on which they received the 8a certification application. 

How to apply for the 8a certification?

We are going to explain the complex procedure to apply for the 8a program in 3 simple steps.

1. Identify your primary NAICS code. 
2. Register your business in the System for Award Management. 
3. Apply for 8a certification

If you want to know more about the procedure precisely then read more about each of these steps.

Eligibility Criteria you must fulfill to get your business SBA 8(a) certified

To obtain an 8(a) certification, you must meet the eligibility criteria for the 8(a) program. We have already said that only small businesses and disadvantaged businesses can pass the eligibility test for 8(a) certification.

We have outlined some of the key factors for increasing the likelihood of authentication.

You must have a small business

Your company has to be small according to the standards of the Small Business Administration (SBA).

The program is intended for small market participants only. It means that only small businesses can qualify for the 8a Business Development Program. The average three-year income must not exceed certain government-set thresholds. That is why the program is for small businesses and not for established companies.

You have to be the first time participant

Only first-time participants can apply for 8a certification to get into the 8a program.

Don’t apply again, if you have already participated in the 8(a) program and obtained 8(a) certification.

You must have a disadvantaged business

Your business needs to be in a disadvantageous position.

Businesses owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged people (which means at least 51% ownership) can apply for the 8acertification to get into the program. The economically disadvantaged individual in the United States must not exceed an asset value of over $4 million.

You must have good character as a business owner

As a business owner, you should be able to demonstrate good character.

In order to get into the 8a program, the owner of a business should not have any sort of criminal record. They cannot violate the terms and conditions of the SBA. They should not carry any report that shows that they have been suspended before. Also, submitting false information for 8(a) registration is also prohibited. So avoid anything that will put a negative impression on your character. 

You must show that you are potentially successful

To get into the 8a program, the business should have the potential for success.

The business must have a positive record for operating in the federal market for quite some time. It will ensure that you have gained enough experience to do business in the federal market. Your company must not be in debt as it is a negative record which shows an unreliable factor in your business. To process the GSA contracts, the business should have adequate capital and essential capabilities such as personnel, equipment, etc.

Submit all the required documents

Business owners are required to provide a variety of documents and items. This includes personal and business income documents for the last three years, all articles of incorporation, all minutes, operating agreement/bylaw, proof of insurance, leases, resumes, background information, and other related documents that need to be disclosed as part of it. It is included in the 8a certification application process.

Respond to the SBA

The Small Business Administration (SBA) will ask clarifying questions.

The concerns are being addressed by the SBA so that is why it is extremely important to respond to the SBA in a timely manner. Otherwise, the SBA will have no choice but to deny the 8a certification application.

Conclusion

Now you know about the eligibility criteria to get into the 8a Business Development Program and the process of the 8a certification application. It is your time to obtain the certification and get government support.