DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY

DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY

DLA Office of Small Business Programs, 8725 John J. Kingman Road, Suite 1127, Fort Belvoir, VA 22060 

(571) 767-0192 DLAHQSmallBusiness@dla.mil Version 3/12/2024

SMALL DISADVANTAGED BUSINESS 

8(a) BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM 

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

To qualify for the 8(a) program, businesses must meet the following eligibility criteria:

• Be a small business; 

• Not have previously participated in the 8(a) program; 

• Be at least 51% owned and controlled by U.S. citizens who are socially and economically disadvantaged; 

• Have a personal net worth of $850 thousand or less, adjusted gross income of $400 thousand or less, and 

assets totaling $6.5 million or less; 

• Demonstrate good character; and

• Demonstrate the potential for success such as having been in business for two years

8(a) certification lasts for a maximum of nine years. The first four years are considered a development stage and the 

last five years are considered a transitional stage. Continuation in the program is dependent on staying in 

compliance with program requirements.

The federal government fully defines who qualifies for the 8(a) program — including what counts as being socially 

and economically disadvantaged — in 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 the 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.
DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY

DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY

DLA Office of Small Business Programs, 8725 John J. Kingman Road, Suite 1127, Fort Belvoir, VA 22060 

(571) 767-0192 DLAHQSmallBusiness@dla.mil Version 3/12/2024

SMALL DISADVANTAGED BUSINESS 

8(a) BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM 

APPLY TO SBA FOR THE 8(a) PROGRAM – CONTINUED -

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 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.