Despite various impacts to SBA’s 8(a) Business Development Program–both quite recently and over the last couple years (which you can read about here and here, and even listen to me talk about here)–this “golden child” of SBA’s socioeconomic programs remains alive and well. And it is still one of the most lucrative and sought after SBA certifications out there. So, eligible contractors may be quite happy to hear, even during this most recent government shutdown, the 8(a) application portal remains up and running. In fact, given the current “pause” to other government contracting functions and filing portals, there may never be a better time than right now to work on those 8(a) applications. That said, anecdotally, we at SmallGovCon have been hearing from some 8(a) applicants about recent updates to the 8(a) application process and submission portal that we want to share with our readers via this two part blog.
Continue readingCategory Archives: 8(a) Program
Posts dealing with the 8(a) business development program, including 8(a) admissions and eligiblity, requests for reconsideration, ongoing eligibility and compliance, and related matters.
Why File: An Appeal of SBA’s 8(a) Program Denial
The U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) 8(a) Business Development Program (the 8(a) Program) is a popular set-aside program that provides a lot of opportunities for small businesses. In hopes of becoming one of those successful businesses, it is common for a company to invest a lot of time, money, and resources into their 8(a) Program application. When SBA denies their 8(a) application, a company may feel like it was all a waste and accept the loss. Focusing only on the denial alone, the company fails to review SBA’s reason for denial. And what if SBA’s reason was wrong? Well, this post explores the option to challenge a denial of an 8(a) application.
Continue readingSBA OHA Says: Claiming Social Disadvantage? Prove it!
Many individuals who have gone through SBA’s 8(a) Business Development Program (the 8(a) Program) will tell you that the application process is not for the faint of heart. One of the most time-consuming, and often frustrating hurdles of the application is the Social Disadvantage Narrative (or SDN).
Applicants are asked to revisit painful moments where they experienced discrimination. Sharing these deeply personal experiences is what makes it so upsetting for an applicant when SBA pushes back on their narrative – or worse, when SBA questions the bias, finding “legitimate alternative grounds” for the mistreatment.
Continue readingSBA Announces an Audit of 8(a) Program Contracts
SBA has announced that it will be auditing the 8(a) Program in a recent press release entitled: “Administrator Loeffler Orders Full-Scale Audit of 8(a) Contracting Program.” 8(a) Participants and former Participants should be aware that SBA will be focusing on a review of contracts issued under the 8(a) Program.
Continue reading[1st Ever Bilingual] Webinar Announcement: The SBA 8(a) Program, June 26, 2025, 12:30 PM – 2:30 PM CDT
Are you a disadvantaged small business owner looking for a leg-up in the federal marketplace? Well, this is your chance!
Puerto Rico APEX Accelerators are hosting a FREE webinar to help you understand how the SBA 8(a) Business Development Program can open the door to exclusive contracting opportunities. And in very exciting news, this will actually be our firm’s first ever bilingual webinar! Indeed, our very own Nicole Pottroff will put her years of Spanish education to the test in an effort to maximize accessibility to this valuable information about federal government contracting. Webinar will be presented in English with Q&A to follow in Spanish.
✅ What You’ll Learn:
- How the SBA 8(a) program works and why it matters
- Key benefits like sole-source contracts and federal mentorship
- Eligibility requirements and how to apply
- Common mistakes that can delay or deny certification
- Live Q&A (*in Spanish) with a top expert in federal contracts law attorney, Nicole Pottroff
- Tips for starting your application
💼 Who Should Attend?
- Small business owners aiming to grow through federal contracting
- Government contracting consultants
- Entrepreneurs seeking new growth avenues
📅 Spots are limited – register now to reserve your place!
👉 Register here.
Why File: A Once 8(a), Always 8(a) Protest
As our SmallGovCon readers might know, the SBA’s 8(a) Business Development Program is often thought of as the golden goose of federal government contracting, at least for small businesses. And it’s true, in some respects. While it is the most difficult of the SBA’s socioeconomic programs to gain admittance to, if admitted, you stand to reap large benefits such as access to competitive and sole-source contracts. And another SBA rule limits the ability to move contracts away from 8(a) Program set-asides. In that scenario, a contract that had been restricted to 8(a) Program Participants is recompeted as a set-aside for small businesses generally or a different socioeconomic category (SDVOSB, WOSB, HUBZone). Less frequently, it might not set aside for small businesses at all. If that happens, what should you do? Well, you should be familiar with what is commonly referred to as the “once 8(a), always 8(a)” rule as well as when to protest a violation of that rule.
Continue readingMoney Talks: CEO’s IRA Withdrawal Results in 8(a) Program Denial
Whether you know from firsthand experience or have read our blogs on the topic, it’s no secret that a company applying for one of SBA’s socioeconomic programs will be examined extremely closely by SBA during the application process. Sometimes even more so in the 8(a) Program. This can include sifting through the language in a company’s operating agreement (as in this case we blogged on here), down to the meeting minutes. It can sometimes be overlooked that this close review also includes a look at the personal finances of the qualifying individual, at least for 8(a) and EDWOSB programs.
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