We have compiled frequently asked questions on various topics within the Small Business Administration. Please select the topic of your choice from the list below to find out more information.
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Area Name |
Area Description |
1. |
8(a) Business Development Program |
The SBA's 8(a) BD Program, named for a section of the Small Business Act, is a business development program created to help small disadvantaged businesses compete in the American economy and access the federal procurement market. (Visit SBA's 8(a) Business Development Program website).
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2. |
8(a) Business Development Program - Suspension Appeals |
At any time after SBA issues a Letter of Intent to Terminate pursuant to Sec. 124.304, the AA/8(a)BD may suspend 8(a) contract support and all other forms of 8(a) BD program assistance to that concern until the issue of the concern's termination from the program is finally decided.
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3. |
Academic Research on Small Businesses |
SBA's Office of Advocacy conducts policy studies and economic research on issues of concern and publishes data on small business characteristics and contributions. www.sba.gov/advo/
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4. |
Advocacy Small Business Statistics and Research |
Created by Congress in 1976, the Office of Advocacy of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is an independent voice for small business within the federal government. www.sba.gov/advo/
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5. |
Central Contractor Registration (CCR) |
CCR is a gateway of procurement information for and about small businesses. It is a search engine for contracting officers, a marketing tool for small firms and a "link" to procurement opportunities and important information. It is a "virtual" one-stop-procurement-shop. (Visit the CCR website.)
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6. |
Disaster Assistance |
Provides information on how to obtain financial assistance for those who are trying to rebuild their homes and businesses in the aftermath of a disaster. (Visit SBA's Disaster Assistance website.)
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7. |
Empezar Su Negocio |
Los programas de la SBA pueden servirle de ayuda en cada uno de los aspectos de su negocio, desde el desarrollo de su plan de negocio hasta cómo obtener financiamiento; desde el mercadeo de sus productos y servicios, hasta cómo administrar su empresa. La SBA le asistirá a comenzar un negocio fuerte y a mantenerlo vigoroso.
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8. |
Financing A Business |
The SBA offers a variety of financing options for small businesses. The SBA's assistance usually is in the form of loan guaranties - the SBA guarantees loans made by banks and other private lenders to small business clients.
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9. |
FOIA |
The questions answered in this area are those frequently asked by persons who contact the Federal Information Center (FIC) for information on the FOIA and the Privacy Act. (Visit SBA's Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) website.)
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10. |
Government Contracting |
The Office of Government Contracting (GC) works to create an environment for maximum participation by small, disadvantaged, and woman-owned businesses in federal government contract awards and large prime subcontract awards. (Visit the GC website).
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11. |
Government-wide Procurement Preference - Goaling Program |
The federal government purchases billions of dollars in goods and services each year. U.S. policy, as stated in the Small Business Act, is that all small businesses have the maximum practicable opportunity to participate in providing goods and services to the government. To ensure that small businesses get their fair share, the SBA negotiates annual procurement preference goals with each Federal agency and reviews each agency's results. (Visit SBA's Goaling Program website).
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12. |
HUBZone Empowerment Contracting Program |
The HUBZone Empowerment Contracting program provides federal contracting opportunities for qualified small businesses located in distressed areas. (Visit the HubZone website.)
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13. |
NAICS |
The North American Industry Classification System replaced the Standard Industrial Classification system. Size standards based on NAICS provide more opportunities for small businesses to participate in Federal programs that give preference to small businesses. (Visit SBA's Size Standards website.)
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14. |
National Advisory Council |
The National Advisory Council (NAC) of the U.S. Small Business Administration was established in October 1965. It is a group of appointed volunteers who partner with the SBA to support its mission to—Maintain and strengthen the Nation’s economy by aiding, counseling, assisting, and protecting the interests of small businesses and by helping families and businesses recover from natural disasters. NAC members provide expert advice, ideas and opinions on SBA programs and small business issues. They provide an essential connection between the SBA, SBA program participants, and the small business community.
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15. |
National Ombudsman |
The National Ombudsman forwards small business comments regarding excessive federal regulatory enforcement actions, such as repetitive audits or investigations, excessive fines, penalties, threats, retaliation or other unfair enforcement action, and asks federal agencies to review and consider the fairness of their enforcement action.
In some cases, fines have been lowered or eliminated and decisions changed in favor of small business owners.
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16. |
New Markets |
In 2000, to address the unmet equity needs of low-income communities, Congress passed legislation creating the New Markets Venture Capital (NMVC) Program and appropriated funding for debenture guarantees and operational assistance grants to supplement the private capital that is raised by NMVC companies. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) will administer the program.
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17. |
Service Corps of Retired Executives - SCORE |
The SCORE Association (Service Corps of Retired Executives) is a nonprofit association comprised of 11,500 volunteer business counselors throughout the U.S. and its territories. Here are the Answers to Some Basic Questions About SCORE and Business Counseling. (Visit the SCORE website.)
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18. |
Size Standards |
Size standards define the maximum size that a firm, including all of its affiliates, may be to participate in federal government programs that are reserved for small businesses. The Small Business Act states that in determining what constitutes a small business, the definition will vary from industry to industry to reflect industry differences accurately. (Visit SBA's Size Standards website.)
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19. |
Small Business Innovation Research - SBIR |
The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program is a highly competitive three-phase award system which provides qualified small business concerns with opportunities to propose innovative ideas that meet the specific research and development needs of the Federal Government. (Visit the SBIR/STTR website.)
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20. |
Small Business Investment Companies (SBIC) |
This section answers questions about the Investment Division's business, the impact our programs have on communities across the nation, how SBICs expand the availability of venture capital financing and related assistance, and more. Additional information about our Division is available in the About Us section.
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21. |
Small Business Technology Transfer - STTR |
STTR is a highly competitive three-phase program that reserves a specific percentage of Federal research and development funding for award to small businesses in partnership with nonprofit research institutions to move ideas from the laboratory to the marketplace, to foster high-tech economic development and to address the technological needs of the Federal Government. (Visit the SBA's SBIR/STTR website.)
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22. |
Starting Your Business |
Contains information about starting a business, and other important business startup questions. (Visit the Starting Your Business area.)
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23. |
Surety Bond Guarantee Program |
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) can guarantee bonds for contracts up to $2 million, covering bid, performance and payment bonds for small and emerging contractors who cannot obtain surety bonds through regular commercial channels. SBA's guarantee gives sureties an incentive to provide bonding for eligible contractors, and thereby strengthens a contractor's ability to obtain bonding and greater access to contracting.
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24. |
Teen Entrepreneurs |
Contains information about starting a business by young entrepreneurs, and other important business startup questions for teens.
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25. |
U.S. Business Advisor |
Over 60 different federal organizations exist to assist or regulate business. With this many sources of information, finding what you want can be complicated and time-consuming. In this area we have Compiled FAQ's from Several Federal Agencies to answer some of your questions. (Visit the Business Advisor's website.)
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26. |
Women's Business Ownership |
America's 9.1 million women-owned businesses employ 27.5 million people and contribute $3.6 trillion to the economy - yet women continue to face unique obstacles in the world of business. The SBA is doing more than ever to help level the playing field for women entrepreneurs. (Visit SBA's Online Women's Business Center website.)
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27. |
Wyoming FAQs |
The questions answered in this area are those frequently asked by persons who contact the Wyoming District Office
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