8(a)

The 8(a) Business Development Program was created to help small disadvantaged businesses compete in the American economy and access the federal procurement market.  The 8(a) program was created in 1953 with several revisions and finally signed into Public Law (PL) 95-597 in 1978 to be used as business development for small disadvantaged businesses.

Basic requirements an 8(a) applicant must meet are:

• Must be a small business.
• Must be unconditionally owned and controlled by one or more socially and economically disadvantaged individuals who are of good character and citizens of the United States.*
• Must demonstrate potential for success.

The Small Business Association (SBA) provides free one-on-one counseling to assist you in preparing your application package for certification in the 8(a) Business Development Program.  There are numerous independent firms that charge fees to assist small businesses in completing the 8(a) application and in gathering the necessary supporting documentation for 8(a) certification.  However, these firms cannot guarantee that your 8(a) application will be approved. 

For more information on the 8(a) Business Development Program and the application process visit http://www.sba.gov/8abd/     

*socially disadvantaged individuals are those who have been subjected to racial or ethnic prejudice or cultural bias because of their identity as members of a group.  Social disadvantage must stem from circumstances beyond their control.  In the absence of evidence to the contrary, individuals who are members of the following designated groups are presumed to be socially disadvantaged:

• Black Americans
• Hispanic Americans
• Native Americans (American Indians, Eskimos, Aleuts, Native Hawaiians)
• Asian Pacific Americans
• Members of other groups designated by the SBA