Business Qualifications

8(a) Program

OSDBU promotes increased utilization of small businesses owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals certified under the SBA Section 8(a) Program.

Section 8(a) of the Small Business Act establishes a program that authorizes the SBA to enter into contracts with other agencies and to negotiate subcontracts with small disadvantaged business concerns eligible for program participation.

• Foster business ownership by individuals who are socially and economically disadvantaged.
• Promote the competitive viability of these firms by providing contract, technical, and management assistance.
• Expand acquisition opportunities for these firms.

To be eligible for the 8(a) Program, a concern must:

• Qualify as a small business.
• Is at least 51 percent owned by a U.S. citizen who is determined by SBA to be socially and economically disadvantaged.

Each SBA 8(a) concern is subject to a fixed program participation term.

Subcontracting Program

The information above is copied from the VA web site, you can read more by clicking on Veteran Affairs. Here, I can point out a couple things they discussed on a panel over the week end. One of the large telephone companies are still classified as a small business. When asked about it the person from the government, or speaking for the government, stated “we want them to grow”. My reaction, are they required to offer contracts to small and minority businesses? This question requires an answer because contractors are reporting a shortage of businesses owned by veterans. If true, this is sad but easy to remedy, just increase the number of veteran-owned businesses. The purpose for the 8(a) program is to increase the number of veteran-owned businesses.