8(a)/SDB Application

On Eligibility

 

The 8(a) Business Development Program is not for everyone.  Make sure you meet the eligibility requirements and that the program satisfies your needs and expectations before applying. 

 

Prior to submitting an application, you are encouraged to complete the online course, INSIGHT: Guide to the 8(a) Business Development Program.  The training module will take only a few minutes to complete and will answer many questions regarding eligibility, program scope and application procedures.  The course can be accessed at the following link: http://app1.sba.gov/sbtn/registration/index.cfm?CourseId=2.

 

Also, we strongly encourage you to contact you local SBA District Office and to also work with your closest counseling centers.

 

Application Information Privacy
The information submitted as part of your electronic application is protected by a username/password based authentication system for all system interactions that require authorization. All authentication related system interaction will be protected using secure, encrypted communications (SSLv3 with 128-bit encryption) to ensure that system passwords cannot be detected by network intruders. SSL is the industry standard for secure network communications. For further information regarding SBA’s Internet Privacy Policy please click: http://www.sba.gov/privacysecurity/index.html.

 

False Statements
Please make sure that your answers are truthful and accurate and submitted by you as there are serious legal consequences for falsifying information in an 8(a)/SDB application that may include fines, imprisonment or both.

 

The Electronic Application Process

  

We are excited about introducing the 8(a)/SDB Electronic application. We hope that this process will revolutionize the way the Business Development Program Office oversees 8(a) and Small Disadvantaged Business certification, and that the process will prove to be a more streamlined, user-friendly, and easier method for the applicant to apply for certification.

 

The Help Screens
Please note that question specific "Help" screens are available throughout the electronic application. We recommend that you make use of these screens as you complete the application process. The screens provide detailed guidance and user friendly explanations to assist in your responses. Use of the screens will improve the accuracy of your submission and significantly reduce the time required to complete the application.

 

The steps of the process

  1. To do business with the Federal government and to be certified under the 8(a) Program or as an SDB, you must register in the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) database, and complete the Small Business Supplemental Page within CCR. As a government-wide single point of vendor registration, CCR is a key aspect of streamlining and integrating electronic commerce into the Federal procurement process. Effective October 1, 2003, Federal Acquisition Regulation require contractors to register in CCR prior to award of any contract, basic agreement, basic ordering agreement, or blanket purchase agreement. It’s easy to register in CCR. Just go to www.ccr.gov and select the "Start a New Registration" button.

If you are a new registrant to CCR and/or updating your profile in CCR, there may be a 24 to 72 hour waiting period before you will be allowed access to the 8(a)/SBD Electronic application. Therefore, if you have recently registered in CCR and/or updated your profile in CCR, please allow a day or so to pass before you try to gain access to the 8(a)/SDB Electronic application to allow the databases to communicate with each other. We apologize for any inconvenience that this may cause you.

  1. You must register for an account in the SBA’s General Log-in System (GLS). SBA supports a single log-in point for all services of the U.S. SBA, that point is the General Log-in System. This assists us in improving our service delivery to our clients. It’s simple to register for an account.
  1. You must download, sign and submit your notarized Authorization form. Also referred to as your "signature" authorization. This authorization is sent separately to the SBA. Please note that the receipt of your signature via the "Certification for the Receipt of Electronic 8(a)/SDB Information from Individual Applicants," is an important part of the electronic application process for it is upon the receipt of this document by SBA that will initiate the time frame to begin and trigger the screening and review process of the Electronic Application.
  1. Log-in to the 8(a)/SDB Application via SBA General Log-in System (GLS).
  1. Complete and submit a completed application form. Make sure that you make use of the help screens designed to guide you along when you submit your application (see below).

Timeframes

 

The regulatory time frames are 90 days for a response from a completed 8(a) application and 75 days for a response from a completed SDB application.  A completed application is one that contains all the documentation necessary in order to render a final determination.

 

There are two parts to reviewing any application. The first is the screening process where we make certain we have all the information required to process the application and the next is the review process where the information you have provided is reviewed and analyzed.  Most of our communications are via email.  Please ensure that you list a valid email address in your application.

 

The length of time to review the application and get you a response will depend on the complexity of your application. That is, the more complex your application, the longer it will take, (for example, a 100% owned sole-proprietorship owned by a designated group member will not take as long as a multi-owned corporation located in a community property state).

 

Additional Help

See Hotlines

 

For both 8(a) and SDB applications from any location, you may also e-mail questions to 8ABD@sba.gov