SBA 8(a) Business Development Program

GSA Schedules – Why are they important?

GSA Schedules provide a contracting vehicle, or a legal way to sell to all agencies of the federal government. It serves as an open purchase order for your firm's goods or services providing a wide array of benefits to your business. The GSA is familiar with working with small businesses as the vast majority of firms on the GSA Schedule are small.

Bid Monitoring – Why is this important?

Monitoring bids can be a good way to break into a federal agency. In some cases, a firm will elect to bid a small contract at a low price to enter an agency. But overall keeping abreast of bids is a keyway to not miss out on opportunities. Obtaining entry into an agency is how we create past performance which leads to additional opportunities down the road.

Superior Past Performance – Why is this important?

If you are looking to do work with the federal government, you must perform at the highest levels. If you are not performing at the “Exceptional” or at least “Very Good” level, it will be difficult for you to obtain future projects and result in your marketing efforts wasted. The federal government does reward good vendors.

1. How do I know if my business qualifies for SBA 8(a) Certification?

Many business owners assume they qualify because they own the majority of their company. However, SBA eligibility goes beyond ownership. The disadvantaged owner must control day-to-day operations, make long-term decisions, meet economic disadvantage requirements, and hold at least 51% ownership. A detailed eligibility review is often the best first step before starting an application.

2. What is the most common reason SBA certification applications are denied?

One of the most common reasons is documentation inconsistencies. Ownership records, tax returns, operating agreements, resumes, and financial statements must all support the information provided in the application. Even small discrepancies can lead to delays, requests for additional information, or denial.