Certification & Contracting

8(a) Program 

The 8(a) Business Development Program is a business assistance program for small disadvantaged businesses. The 8(a) Program offers a broad scope of assistance to firms that are owned and controlled at least 51% by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals. Participants can receive sole-source contracts, up to a ceiling of $4 million for goods and services and $6.5 million for manufacturing.  

8(a) firms are also able to form joint ventures and teams to bid on contracts. This enhances the ability of 8(a) firms to perform larger prime contracts and overcome the effects of contract bundling, the combining of two or more contracts together into one large contract. Also, see the Mentor-Protégé Program for more information on allowing starting 8(a) companies to learn the ropes from other more experienced businesses. 

Veteran Owned Certification

Veteran owned companies and service disabled veteran owned companies can sometimes qualify for preferential treatment when bidding on Federal government contract. If your company is at least 51 percent veteran owned by one or more eligible veterans; or, if at least 51 percent of the stock is owned by one or more veterans, and the management and daily business operations are controlled by such veterans, you can self-certify. Each contracting agency has varying opportunities for you to participate in so you’ll want to do your research ahead of time.