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8(a) Business Development Program.

The nine-year 8(a) program gives qualifying disadvantaged small businesses access to federal contracting opportunities, training, and business-development assistance.

Offered bySBA Office of Government Contracting and Business Developmentverified 2026-07-10

Overview

What it does.

A Chester firm applies directly to SBA through MySBA Certifications after registering in SAM.gov. Certification can create access to set-aside and sole-source opportunities, but it does not guarantee any contract.

Best for: Experienced, qualifying disadvantaged small businesses ready to build a sustained federal-contracting pipeline.

Eligibility

Who and what may qualify.

Eligible applicants

  • Small businesses at least 51 percent owned and controlled by qualifying socially and economically disadvantaged U.S. citizens
  • Certain eligible entity-owned firms

Applicants excluded by the source

  • Businesses that do not meet ownership, control, disadvantage, size, character, or potential-for-success rules
  • Individuals who previously used their one-time participation eligibility, except as permitted for entity-owned firms

Eligible uses

  • Competing for 8(a) set-aside and sole-source contracts
  • Business-development training and technical assistance
  • Mentoring and joint-venture opportunities

Uses excluded by the source

  • Direct grant or loan funding
  • Guaranteed contract awards

Application

How to start.

  1. Confirm the firm meets SBA size, ownership, control, financial, character, and success requirements
  2. Register the business in SAM.gov
  3. Complete the 8(a) application in MySBA Certifications and respond to SBA information requests

Timing: Certification applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

Planning notes

Limits to account for.

  • Participation is generally limited to nine years
  • Certification does not guarantee contracts
  • Annual reviews and continuing eligibility requirements apply

A firm may also qualify for other federal small-business certifications when it independently meets their requirements.

Evidence

Official sources.