SBA’s 8(a) Business Development Program Overview Webinar
This webinar will provide an overview of the SBA's 8(a) business development program
Date and time
Location
Online
About this event
- 1 hour 30 minutes
Join the Portland District of the U.S. Small Business Adminstration for an overview of the 8(a) Business Development Program. Topics include:
- Local Federal Contracting Market Overview
- What is the 8(a) Program and how does it work?
- 8(a) Program Eligibility Requirements
- Benefits of Becoming 8(a) Certified
- Government Contracting Help Available to Small Businesses
The 8(a) program is a robust nine-year program created to small businesses owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals. Businesses that participate in the program receive training and technical assistance designed to strengthen their ability to compete effectively in the American economy. Current and eligible 8(a) certified firms also receive authorization to receive 8(a) sole source direct awards from federal agencies or compete for competitive federal contracts that are set aside exclusively for 8(a) Participants.
Because of the unique benefits of the 8(a) Program, last fiscal year, 8(a) firms located within the Pacific Northwest were awarded over $530 million* in federal contracts. In addition to the contracting benefits of the Program, 8(a) certified firms also receive access to no cost specialized training and assistance as well as the ability to obtain surplus government property.
Join the Portland District of the U.S. Small Business Administration to learn if your firm is eligible to Participate in this unique Program!
Who Should Attend?
- Small businesses who have been operating for at least 2 years AND;
- Are certified as DBE or MBE at the state level and who are currently contracting with or interested in contracting with the federal government;
- Small businesses who may be owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged* individuals who are currently contracting with or interested in contracting with the federal government;
- Small businesses currently contracting with or are interested in contracting with the federal government but are not sure if they may be owned by a socially and economically disadvantaged individual;
- Small Businesses who feel they may be eligible or are otherwise interested in the 8(a) Program
Note: This webinar will take place via Microsoft Teams. A link to the webinar will be provided to you in your registration confirmation e-mail.
There is no cost to attend this webinar, but registration is required.
*according to data publicly available federal award data
Frequently asked questions
The definition of social disadvantage means that an individual has been subjected to racial, ethnic, or cultural bias within American society because of their identities as members of groups and without regard to their individual qualities. See 13 CFR 124.103(c).
Economically disadvantaged individuals are socially disadvantaged individuals whose ability to compete in the free enterprise system has been impaired due to diminished capital and credit opportunities as compared to others in the same or similar line of business who are not socially disadvantaged.
In general, there are three thresholds SBA examines to determine economic disadvantage: Personal Net Worth ($850k), 3-year average AGI ($400k) and total fair market value of all the owner's assets ($6.5M).