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.
As we noted in Part I of this two-part blog, it is a bit ironic that the first anecdotal update we blogged on regards a new 8(a) application timing–making it so 8(a) applicants will no longer be able to delay submission of application documents once they start their applications (the subject of this Part I). Yet the second 2025 8(a) anecdotal update we have for you (the subject of the instant blog) regards some persistent delays in SBA’s final application decisions, despite its regulatory 90-day final decision timeframe.
office experiencing has been experiencing issues with short staffing. Interestingly, the SBA’s own 8(a) Business Development Program website and standing 8(a) regulations still assure the public that SBA will process and render a decision on any complete 8(a) application within 90 days. But in response to recent inquiries regarding outstanding and undecided–but already deemed complete–applications well beyond this 90-day timeframe, SBA issued a surprising statement.
Indeed, just earlier this month, an SBA 8(a) Office Lead Business Opportunity Specialist said the following:
SBA has experienced a reduction in federal staff case workers and will address 8(a) application processing when possible. At this juncture, there is nothing I can do to move any applications forward.
Again, this statement comes as quite a surprise in many ways (but also, as wholly unsurprising in other ways). What took me aback the most about this statement is its contradiction to SBA’s current standing 8(a) Program regulations, which still state the following:
SBA will process an application for 8(a) BD program participation within 90 days of receipt of an application package deemed complete by the DPCE. Incomplete packages will not be processed. Where during its screening or review SBA requests clarifying, revised or other information from the applicant, SBA’s processing time for the application will be suspended pending the receipt of such information.
But I will say, this isn’t the first time in the last few years that SBA’s 8(a) practices have not aligned with the standing 8(a) regulations. I am sure most of us at this point are familiar with the Ultima case and how it changed SBA’s rules for social disadvantage back in 2023–despite the 8(a) social disadvantage regulations to this day reflecting the old rules and now-prohibited presumption of social disadvantage (outside of a DoD FAR deviation). But at least for that one, it is quite easy to find SBA’s new rules, guidance, and policies online and via the application platform and procedures.
In regard to this news of a current shortage of staff and inability to process applications, however, there does not appear to be any public announcement, statement, or updated guidance on the matter. In fact, just like the 8(a) regulation cited above, SBA’s own 8(a) Program website still states the following:
Once SBA has determined the application is complete, SBA has 90 days to process the application and render a decision. Once certified, your profile in SAM and the Small Business Search (SBS, formerly the Dynamic Small Business Search) will show your approval date and exit date for the 8(a) program.
Perhaps even more perplexing is SBA’s website titled “Updates on the 8(a) Business Development Program“–last updated July 2025–also says nothing of either staffing shortages or a pause in 8(a) application processing. Consistent with my point above, it does cover the ins-and-outs of the social disadvantage rule and policy changes. But the only thing it notes regarding application processing is the following:
As of September 29, 2023, SBA has reopened the 8(a) application for new applicants. SBA has updated the application by adding a plain language fillable questionnaire for applicants to identify social disadvantage. Firms continue to have the option to prepare a social disadvantage narrative and upload it directly to Certify.
Thus, SBA’s recent statement leaves many of us with more questions than answers. How short staffed is the 8(a) Program office and why? What is being done to fix the shortage? When is “when possible”–in regard to resuming the processing of 8(a) applications? And is this news related to the recent 8(a) Program contracts audit? These are all answers I wish I had.
But before panic ensues, I just want to remind our readers that the 8(a) Program is a creature of statute–and therefore, requires an act of Congress to be terminated, indefinitely suspended, or defunded. Further, it was not too long ago that Ultima hit the SBA 8(a) Program office with a massive influx of social disadvantage narratives requiring review. And SBA did a pretty solid job of handling that one, dramatically increasing the number of representatives reviewing narratives not too long after the Court Order was issued.
So, certainly, this statement may cause some concern for those currently awaiting an 8(a) application decision, those in the process of applying, and even those looking to apply in the near future. But just remember that SBA’s 8(a) Program office: (1) has already (fairly recently) successfully demonstrated its ability to accommodate political and judicial impacts; and (2) exists under statute, which only Congress can change. Thus, we are cautiously optimistic that this “pause” will be short-lived and promptly addressed. Make sure you keep an eye out for future blogs on the topic, as we will (of course) update you with any updates we can get!
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