What are 8 a contracts?
The 8(a) Business Development Program—commonly known as the “8(a) Program”—provides participating small businesses with training, technical assistance, and contracting opportunities in the form of set-aside and sole-source awards.
Who is considered socially and economically disadvantaged?
Under federal law, socially and economically disadvantaged individuals are those who have been subjected to racial or ethnic prejudice or cultural bias within American society because of their identification as members of groups without regard to their individual qualities.
Is 8a Certification helpful?
An 8a certification will greatly increase the effectiveness of a GSA Schedule. When a federal procurement officer visits GSA Advantage the web porthole for GSA buying those procurement officers always seek out 8a firms first. This gives 8a firms an estimated 300% advantage over their non-8a GSA Schedule peers.
What is the 8a sole source threshold for a non manufacturing contract?
The sole-source threshold for the 8(a) program has been raised to $7.5 million for manufacturing contracts. All 8(a) non-manufacturing sole-source awards have been raised to $4.5 million.
How do you prove socially disadvantaged?
According to SBA, individuals are socially disadvantaged if they “have been subjected to racial or ethnic prejudice or cultural bias within American society because of their identities as members of groups and without regard to their individual qualities[,]” and this social disadvantage stems “from circumstances beyond …
What qualifies as a disadvantaged background?
1. Individuals who come from a family with an annual income below established low-income thresholds. These thresholds are based on family size; published by the U.S. Bureau of the Census; adjusted annually for changes in the Consumer Price Index; and adjusted by the Secretary for use in all health professions programs.
What is a Super 8a?
Super 8(a) businesses are firms that are owned by Indian tribes, Alaskan Native Corporations (ANCs), and Native Hawaiian Organizations (NHOs).
What types of contracting are available in the 8a program?
Many types of contracting are available in the program, supply, various service as well as construction. A portion of all federal contracting is set aside for contractors in the 8a program. What are benefits of becoming 8 (a) certified? Access to business training, counseling, assistance. Also development for business executives
What is an 8A certification?
Business counseling, procurement guidance, mentorship, surety bonding, training, and financial assistance are all available with 8a certification – along with other forms of technical and management support. Here are the two stages of this business development support program: Developmental stage – 4 years Transition stage – 5 years.
What are the basic principals of bonding for 8A contractors?
The basic principals of bonding apply to 8a contractors. The three tenets of bonding, capital, capacity and character will apply. Capital; does the contractor have the financial strength to complete the contract?
Can an 8A contractor get an SBA bond?
If 8a contractor is going to pursue construction, the rules of the Miller Act will apply. As such, the contractor will need to secure bid, performance and payment bonds to compete on federal construction projects. A construction contractor, even if not in the 8a, can access the SBA bond guarantee program.