8(a) CertificationWelcome to the new internet-based system designed to help you organize and complete the materials required to obtain certification in the 8(a) Business Development Program. By following the directions closely, you will provide the SBA with the information it needs to process your application in the least amount of time. It has been designed to guide your efforts in a logical and intuitive manner. Moreover, if you don't use this system to complete and submit your application, you risk long processing delays, as the SBA manually processes your application. The Electronic Application ProcessThis new web-based interface provides step-by-step instructions to enable you to organize, complete and submit your application for 8(a) Business Development Program certification to the SBA in the least amount of time. Please note that, while an electronic record of your input to this system is retained by the agency, you must still provide hard-copy proof for the SBA to verify your claims. The steps of the process:
The length of time for the SBA to review your application and arrive at a decision depends on the complexity of your application. Regulations stipulate a time-frame of ninety days to process an application from the time it is deemed complete by the SBA. So it is in your best interest to ensure that the package you mail in to the SBA contains all the required information and documentation, or processing delays could result. We will, of course, do our best to process your application and render a decision as quickly as possible. On EligibilityWe highly recommend that prior to applying for certification, you take the on-line training course on SBA certification programs available through the SBA home page at www.sba.gov. The training course which will answer many elementary eligibility questions is available at http://www.sba.gov/training/courses.html (Look under the topic Government Contracting and click on Certification Programs.) Application Information PrivacyThe 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 contact BDMIS@sba.gov. False StatementsPlease 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) Program application. These may include fines, imprisonment or both. E-Application HotlinesSee Hotlines. You may also email any questions or concerns surrounding your 8(a) Program application to BDMIS@sba.gov |