Frequently Asked Questions About IAE

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.

To participate in the 8(a) Program, a firm must be certified by the SBA. To qualify, the firm:

1. must be a small business,
2. must be unconditionally owned and controlled by one or more socially and economically disadvantaged individuals who are of good character and citizens of the United States, and
3. must demonstrate potential for success.

How do I certify that I am 8(a)?

Contact the local SBA district office serving your area. An SBA representative will answer general questions over the telephone. Some district offices may also have 8(a) orientation workshops to provide additional information regarding the eligibility requirements and to review various SBA forms. To locate the closest SBA District Office go to www.sba.gov or call 1-800-U-ASK-SBA. You may also apply for certification online.

The HUBZone Empowerment Contracting Program, which is included in the Small Business Reauthorization Act of 1997, stimulates economic development and creates jobs in urban and rural communities by providing contracting preferences to small businesses that are located in a HUBZone and that hire employees who live in a HUBZone.  SBA certifies concerns for eligibility to receive HUBZone contracts and maintains a listing of qualified HUBZone small businesses federal agencies can use to locate prospective vendors.

What is a HUBZone Business?

HUBZone Business

To be certified as a HUBZone Business, the firm must be a small business by SBA size standards; its principal office must be located in a "historically underutilized business zone" or HUBZone, which includes lands on federally recognized Indian reservations; it must be owned and controlled by one or more U.S. Citizens; and at least 35% of its employees must reside in a HUBZone. You may apply for certification online. For more specifics, go to the SBA website.

What is the Small Business Goaling Report?

Is IAE going to eventually have one universal contract writing system?

What are IAE’s plans for an “all inclusive” portal which will allow the contracting officer to access all necessary systems without having to go in and out of their primary work environment?

What applications are offered under the “IAE umbrella”?

The North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) classifies commercial activity into broad service categories, e.g., farming, manufacturer, wholesaler, retail, services. Contracts, on the other hand, generally purchase specific goods (such as cameras or telephones) and services. Therefore, FPDS has a second set of codes called Products and Services Codes (PSCs). While still rather general, the PSCs are more specific than NAICS.

To be considered an SDB, owners of business concerns must be socially and economically disadvantaged.

A Small Disadvantaged Business Concern that is certified by the SBA is eligible for special bidding benefits

A small business concern that is at least 51% unconditionally and directly owned by one or more service-disabled veterans may represent itself as a Service-Disable Veteran-Owned Small Business Concern in the Central Contractor Registration (www.ccr.gov). To participate in the federal marketplace, the veteran must have a service-connected disability that has been determined by the Department of Veterans Affairs or his or her respective military branch of service.  For more information, go to www.sba.gov/vets.

FAR 19.501 describes procedures for Small Business Set-Asides.  A “set-aside for small business” is the reserving of an acquisition exclusively for participation by small business concerns.  A small business set-aside may be open to all small businesses.  A small business set-aside of a single acquisition or a class of acquisitions may be total or partial.

The Small Business Administration (SBA) defines a small business as a concern that is organized for profit; has a place of business in the United States (U.S.); operates primarily within the U.S. or makes a significant contribution to the U.S. economy through payment of taxes or use of American products, materials or labor; is independently owned and operated; and is not dominant in its field on a national basis.  The business may be a sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, or any other legal form.  In determining what constitutes a small business, the definition will vary to reflect industry differences.  For more information on small business size standards go to www.sba.gov.

Click on "Business Opportunities" at the Veterans Administration website (www.va.gov).