Frequently Asked Questions About
8(a) Certification

The Small Business Administration 8(a) Business Development Program hosts a page of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) here: http://www.sba.gov/aboutsba/sbaprograms/8abd/faqs/index.html

If you cannot find the information you need on the SBA 8(a) program’s FAQs site, here are some additional Frequently Asked Questions and answers to help guide you.

Q. After I have submitted my 8(a) certification application to the SBA, how long must I wait until I receive my 8(a) certification?

A. Assuming that your company is among the approximately 30% to 50% of applicants that are approved to receive 8(a) certification in any given year, the waiting period is usually several months in duration; however, this process may take longer if you are asked to furnish additional information to supplement your initial application package. In a 2006 article the Los Angeles Times estimated the entire application process takes 9 months to a year.

The SBA states that “The regional Division of Program Certification and Eligibility (DPCE) has 15 days to review the application for completeness. If the application is incomplete, the applicant will have 15 days to provide additional information. If the DPCE determines the application is complete, a final decision regarding 8(a) BD Program eligibility will be made within 90 days after SBA's determination that the application is complete.”

Q. Now that my company has SBA 8(a) certification, what is my next step towards receiving government contracts?

A. The next step in the business development sequence is to formulate a solid business plan and submit it to the SBA for review and approval.

Your business plan should define your products or services clearly and also identify the market for those products or services. Try to be as specific as possible when describing your market. Rather than defining your target market as “the federal government,” be more specific about the particular department or agency you wish to sell to. An example: “My corporation provides information technology services such as disaster recovery to organizations within the Department of Agriculture.”

Government Certification Specialists can help you develop and refine your business plan.

Q. What percentage of initial SBA 8(a) applications are accepted by the SBA?

A. The acceptance rate or percentage changes every year; however, typically only about 30% to 50% of initial SBA 8(a) applications are accepted.

Because so few of the companies that apply actually receive 8(a) certification, it is particularly important that you provide the SBA with a detailed, organized, and comprehensive application package.

Government Certification Specialists possesses the requisite management and writing skills to ensure your 8(a) application is outstanding.

Q. How do I market my products and services to the government effectively?

A. First, make sure your product and service offerings are clearly defined and easy to understand. When you present your offerings to your customer, focus on the benefits those goods and services provide—tell your customer “what’s in it for them,” as the common saying goes.

You will need to do a lot of networking with procurement officials and the end users of your products and services, so be prepared to attend “Industry Days” and other business development events. Check government websites often for listings of these networking opportunities.

Government Certification Specialists can represent your company at these events and provide you with more guidance on how to effectively market your company’s capabilities.