Tag Archives: 8(a) Program applications

[1st Ever Bilingual] Webinar Announcement: The SBA 8(a) Program, June 26, 2025, 12:30 PM – 2:30 PM CDT

Posted on by

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.

End of the Line for Transmutation Agreements in 8(a) Program

Posted on by

We at SmallGovCon have analyzed a number of key updates from the recent SBA final rule concerning HUBZone Program Updates and Clarifications, and Clarifications to Other Small Business Programs. But, with the rule covering many issues, there are aspects we didn’t cover everything. One small change could impact a number of companies seeking 8(a) Program certification or existing 8(a) Program Participants changing their ownership. The change affects married business owners in community property states and removes the requirement for transmutation agreements.

Continue reading →

SBA Proposed Rule: SBA Plans to Relax 8(a) Program Restrictions

Posted on by

The SBA recently dropped a large proposed rule that it grouped mainly under the HUBZone program, but actually touches on almost every SBA socioeconomic certification. So, it should come as no surprise that the SBA’s 8(a) Program is facing some potential changes based on this proposed rule. There are quite a few proposed updates to the 8(a) Program. We wanted cover just a few that really stood out to us here at SmallGovCon. Be sure to review the whole rule if you want to comment on any of these 8(a) changes.

Continue reading →

SBA’s 2023 Update: Demonstrating 8(a) Social Disadvantage

Posted on by

SBA recently issued new guidance on how to demonstrate social disadvantage–one of the elements an individual must meet to be eligible for SBA’s illustrious 8(a) Business Development Program. The guidance implements a streamlined social disadvantage narrative format–limiting the number of social disadvantage instances to two and asking only for direct answers to six questions for each instance. The “new” format really just hones in on the elements SBA has always asked for 8(a) social disadvantage narratives to demonstrate, substantively, not changing a thing. Nevertheless, SBA has been quite firm in requiring this new, short and sweet, structured format–so let’s dig into it a bit.

Continue reading →

UPDATE: SBA Opens Certify Portal for Social Disadvantage Narrative Uploads by Current 8(a) Participants Not Pending 8(a) Award

Posted on by

As we have previously written about in several recent 8(a) articles and updates, which can all be found on our 8(a) landing page here, SBA had previously told all 8(a) participants not pending an 8(a) award to “sit tight” and wait for the go-ahead to submit their social disadvantage narratives. Well, according to SBA’s just-released Certify Help Desk Guidance, it appears that go-ahead was just given to all the (justifiably) anxious 8(a) participants out there hoping to confirm their continued 8(a) Program eligibility as soon as possible.

Continue reading →

Podcast: Understanding the 8(a) Lawsuit and Its Impact: Attorney John Holtz Reveals All

Posted on by

John Holtz was recently interviewed by Dr. Kizzy Parks with K. Parks Consulting, Inc. about the current 8(a) Program situation and the pause on applications. Please use this link to access this informative podcast and we invite you to visit YouTube for all of Kizzy Parks podcasts concerning federal government contracting matters.

Back to Basics: SBA’s 8(a) Business Development Program

Posted on by

If you’re a small business owner interested in government contracts, you’ve probably heard about the SBA’s 8(a) Business Development Program. The 8(a) Program itself is complex, and its eligibility rules are some of stricter rules out there; but its potential benefits are tremendous. In this Back to Basics post, I’ll break down some of the very basics about the 8(a) Program. But don’t worry, not only will I follow this post up with another to unpack more of the complexities, I have also included links throughout this post to other posts doing the same.

Continue reading →