SBA 8(a) Business Development Program: Developmental Stage Services

Cherry Bekaert provides comprehensive services to help 8(a) companies successfully navigate the Developmental Stage of the 8(a) Business Development Program.

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Achieve Success During the Developmental Stage of the 8(a) Program

The first four years of the Small Business Administration (SBA) Business Development Program are considered the developmental stage, a time when many contractors can experience rapid growth. This growth can bring numerous benefits, as well as new financial and compliance challenges. Cherry Bekaert’s Government Contracting Advisory team holds a deep understanding of the SBA 8(a) program and is equipped to advise 8(a) contractors through each step of the process.

Our professionals help small businesses navigate the important decisions, from assisting with proposal pricing and developing successful program growth plans to anticipating ongoing opportunities. We have provided accounting and financial auditing services for businesses of all sizes, whether they’re at the $2 million or $10 million revenue mark.

With a team comprised of former government contractor chief financial officers and controllers, Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) auditors, and information technology (IT), accounting and compliance advisors, we are ready to guide you forward as a new 8(a) contractor.

Our Focus on Small, Disadvantaged Businesses

The federal government’s goal is to award at least 10% of all federal contracting dollars to small, disadvantaged businesses each year. We help companies advance through the nine-year 8(a) program so they can expand their footprint in the federal marketplace.

Our Comprehensive 8(a) Developmental Stage Services Include:

  • Providing outsourced accounting and compliances services
  • Establishing an acceptable accounting system, including system design and policies and procedures required for contract awards (SF1408 pre-award survey)
  • Undergoing initial reviewed and audited financial statements as required by SBA
  • Establishing tracking and monitoring of 8(a) Economic Requirements and size standards
  • Providing tax planning for the business and the 8(a) participant, based on a deep understanding of tax, as well as the unique requirements of the 8(a) program multi-state tax filing and reporting requirements based on new contract wins
  • Offering third-party assessments of accounting systems to include in proposals
  • Training on contract types and contract management
  • Establishing an effective and competitive indirect rate structure
  • Offering proposal pricing assistance for both sole-source and competitive contract awards
  • Documenting and reviewing the SBA annual report
  • Assisting with SBA Mentor-Protégé program requirements and joint venture proposal pricing, accounting and reporting
  • Preparing provisional rate requests and Incurred Cost Submissions (ICS)
  • Understanding unallowable costs and impacts on profitability
Checklist

Key Stages of the 8(a) Business Development Program

Our Professionals

Connect With Us

Traci Shepps

Government Contracting Leader

Partner, Cherry Bekaert Advisory LLC

Lead Contact

Eric Poppe

Advisory Services

Managing Director, Cherry Bekaert Advisory LLC

Brigitta Scott

Outsourced Accounting Services

Partner, Cherry Bekaert Advisory LLC

Contact Our SBA 8(a) Consulting Team