The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) 8(a) Business Development Program, named for a section of the Small Business Act, is a Business Development Program created to help Small Disadvantaged Businesses compete and access the Federal Procurement market.  Contacting the local SBA district office serving your area is the first step.  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.

What are the basic requirements an 8(a) applicant firm must meet?  The applicant firm:

• Must be a small business,
• 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
• Must demonstrate potential for success.

Additional information may be found at the SBA 8(a) Business Development Program web site.