This webinar will teach you all you need to know about getting involved with the SBA's 8(a) program.

The 8(a) program can be a valuable tool for experienced socially and economically disadvantaged small business owners, who have already been in business for at least two years or more, and are interested in expanding their footprint in the federal marketplace. The 8(a) program offers unique and valuable business assistance. The 8(a) certification does not guarantee contract awards but it is a dynamic tool to pursue and capture new opportunity from the government.

Certified firms in the 8(a) program can:

• Efficiently compete and receive set-aside and sole-source contracts 
• Receive one-on-one business development assistance for their nine-year term from dedicated Business Opportunity Specialists focused on helping firms grow and accomplish their business objectives
• Pursue opportunity for mentorship from experienced and technically capable firms through the SBA Mentor-Protégé program
• Connect with procurement and compliance experts who understand regulations in the context of business growth, finance, and government contracting
• Pursue joint ventures with established businesses to increase capacity
• Qualify to receive federal surplus property on a priority basis
• Receive free training from SBA’s 7(j) Management and Technical Assistance program

The 8(a) certification qualifies your business as eligible to compete for the program’s sole-source and competitive set-aside contracts. The government authorizes sole-source contracts to 8(a) participants for up to $7 million for acquisitions assigned manufacturing North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes and $4.5 million for all other acquisitions. Entity-owned 8(a) program participants are eligible for sole-source contracts above these thresholds, but the Department of Defense requires approval of a formal justification if the 8(a) sole-source contract exceeds $100 million; all other federal agencies require approval for sole-source 8(a) contract actions that exceed $25 million.

This is the second of a four-part series of webinars from the SBA. The schedule:

Part 1: Women-Owned Small Business Certification, Jan. 25, 10 a.m.

Part 2: Learning about the SBA's 8(a) program, Feb. 16, 10 a.m.

Part 3: HUBZone program, March 29, 10 a.m.

Part 4: Service-Disabled Veterans Certification, April 18, 10 a.m.

Previous webinars can be accessed here.

ABOUT THE PRESENTER: Eric Terrell is Senior Manager for Middle and West Tennessee for the U.S. Small Business Administration, a position he has held since 2017. Before that, he was marketing director for the General Services Administration.