# Small Disadvantaged Business 8(a) Program

/ Published March 12, 2024

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## What is the 8(a) Program?

Sections 7(j)(10) and 8(a) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. §§ 636(j)(10) and 637(a)) authorizes the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to establish a business development program, which is known as the **8(a) Business Development program**. The 8(a) program is a robust nine-year program created to help firms owned and controlled by **socially and economically disadvantaged individuals**.    

Businesses that participate in the program receive training and technical assistance designed to strengthen their ability to compete effectively in the American economy. Also eligible to participate in the 8(a) program are small businesses owned by Alaska Native corporations, Community Development Corporations, Indian tribes, and Native Hawaiian organizations.  

## Program Qualifications

**small business**

**Title 13 Part 124 of the Code of Federal Regulations**

## CERTIFICATION FOR SDBs AND THE 8(a) PROGRAM 

### Self-certification for Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB)

If you are an SDB, you should self-certify as part of your registration in the **System for Award Management (SAM.gov)** Although you generally will not receive any special preference as an SDB competing for prime contracts (outside of the 8(a) Program), agencies have an interest in supporting SDBs because the federal government's goal is to award a certain percentage of all contract dollars to SDBs.

### SBA Certified 8(a) Program Participant

When SBA approves you as an **8(a) Program participant**, they will enter this information in the DSBS, which will interface with your SAM profile. This is not a self-certification, and you cannot enter the information yourself; however, you should check to ensure that your SAM.gov profile accurately reflects the SBA-certification for th**e 8(a) Program**after you have been approved to participate.

## Apply to SBA for the 8(a) Program

First, you will need to have or establish a profile at **SAM.gov**.

Next, use **https://certify.sba.gov/** to apply for the 8(a) Program. The information you will need to provide will vary based on your business structure and whether you are already participating in other SBA programs.

Watch this video SBA posted about the 8(a) Program application process:**https://youtu.be/Z2eq7R3nj7M**

NOTE:  Both SAM.gov and 8(a) Program applications are **FREE** registrations.  There may be 3rd party vendors that offer to provide this service for a fee, which is usually not necessary. 

## For Additional Information and Resources

Refer to SBA’s website, which provides more information about the 8(a) Program: **www.sba.gov/federal-contracting/contracting-assistance-programs/8a-business-development-program**

Contact your local APEX Accelerators, formerly known as Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (PTAC), which can assist you completing your SAM profile and applying to SBA for the 8(a) Program. The APEX Accelerators operate under a DoD assistance program and will provide this service for free: **www.apexaccelerators.us/#**

Read Subparts 19.8 and 219.8 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS), respectively: **www.acquisition.gov**

The **SBA Dynamic Small Business Search (DSBS)** is a database that government agencies use to find small business contractors for upcoming contracts.  Small businesses can also use DSBS to find other small businesses to work with and large prime contractors can use the database to find small business subcontractors.  The information you provide when you register your business at SAM.gov is used to populate DSBS, so you should create a comprehensive business profile.