SBA 8(a) Business Development Program Consulting Services

Cherry Bekaert’s 8(a) Business Development Program consulting services guide your business throughout the life of the SBA 8(a) program. Our advisors provide assistance with submitting applications, achieving certification, securing your first contract and more.

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8(a) Business Development Program Creates Opportunities in the Federal Marketplace

What is the 8(a) Business Development Program?

The Small Business Administration’s (SBA) 8(a) Business Development Program was created to help small, disadvantaged businesses, particularly minority-owned businesses, compete and work with the federal government.

During the nine-year 8(a) program, participants can be awarded sole-source contracts up to $4.5 million for goods and services, and $7 million for manufacturing, as well as compete in larger 8(a) set-aside contracts. 8(a) companies can also participate in the SBA All-Small Mentor-Protégé program and form Joint Ventures with larger contractors to compete for 8(a) competitive contracts and other small business contracts to gain the ability to expand their business and compete for contracts that may normally be out of reach.

The 8(a) program offers small, disadvantaged businesses tremendous opportunities for sole source and limited competition contracts. However, 8(a) certification has stringent program requirements for participation approval, as well as annual compliance and reporting requirements.

What Are the 8(a) Program Qualifications and Certification Requirements?

To qualify for the 8(a) program, a company must be owned and controlled at least 51% by U.S. citizens who are socially and economically disadvantaged and have a personal net worth of $850K or less, excluding certain assets, average adjusted gross income of $400K or less and $6.5 million or less in total assets.

8(a) contractors must demonstrate progress during the nine-year program, the first four of which are spent in the development stage. Advancement must also be displayed during the transitional stage, which takes place in years five through nine, including progressing from sole-source awards to 8(a) competitive contracts, and transitioning to non-8a revenue. 8(a) contractors are also required to adhere to small business size standards to maintain eligibility for contract awards.

The SBA monitors and measures progress through annual reviews, business planning and regular evaluations.

What Are the SBA Annual Reporting and Compliance Requirements?

Each year, 8(a) participants must submit the Form 1450-8(a) Annual Update Review. Based on the 8(a)’s annual program year, businesses must disclose certain company data to remain in the program, including:

  • Progress on meeting goals
  • Annual personal financial statements, including net worth, for the individuals upon whom the 8(a) eligibility is based
  • Fair market value of all assets
  • Personal income
  • Excessive withdrawal limitations

These should be monitored to ensure no issues with the SBA.

In addition, company financial statements are required. 8(a) participants with greater than $10 million in revenue must submit annual audited financial statements within 120 days of the company’s fiscal year. 8(a) participants with revenue between $2M and $10M must submit annual reviewed financial statements within 90 days of the company’s fiscal year. Finally, 8(a) participants with less than $2M in revenue must provide an annual in-house or compiled financial statement within 90 days after the close of the company’s fiscal year.

Are You Prepared to Apply for the 8(a) Program?

Planning and preparing your SBA 8(a) application is critical to gaining approval. 8(a) applicants should strictly follow 8(a) certification checklists to ensure the documents provided meet program requirements in both fact and appearance. In addition to answering many questions in the online application, numerous documents are required, including:

  • Prior tax returns
  • Financial statements
  • Company history
  • Personal financial statements

How to Apply for SBA Certification?

The actual application on the SBA website can be completed by the owner directly, but many companies benefit by having a financial advisor, who is knowledgeable on all aspects of the 8(a) program requirements, review the documents prior to submission.

We Meet You Where You Are to Guide You Forward

Our Government Contractor Services group has an in-depth understanding of the SBA 8(a) program and advises 8(a) government contractors through each step of the process to add value and anticipate ongoing opportunities.

In addition to 8(a) application help, our professionals work with small businesses to navigate the important decisions, from assisting with proposal pricing and developing successful program growth plans to anticipating ongoing opportunities. We meet you wherever you are at in the program and offer guidance to help your business thrive and graduate.

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 SBA 8(a) Business Development Program Consulting Services

Developmental Stage

Companies that understand the 8(a) program qualifications and certification requirements, as well as what is needed to manage certification to stay in compliance, avoid early graduation and are better positioned to thrive in the 8(a) program. As your business moves through the development stage, we can help with:

  • Application Planning
  • Tracking & Monitoring Economic Requirements
  • Business Process & Compliance
  • FAR & Other Government Regulations
  • Contract Life Cycle Support
  • Compensation & Benefits Solutions
  • Mentor-Protégé & Joint Ventures
  • Reviewed & Audited Financial Statements

Transitional Stage

Preparing for a competitive business environment, developing and maintaining a balance of commercial and government work, and effectively managing new hurdles to maintain compliance are critical to continue a solid growth trajectory. Cherry Bekaert can help you successfully navigate the transitional stage by supporting:

  • Economic Requirements
  • Business Process & Compliance
  • FAR & Other Government Regulations
  • Contract Life Cycle
  • Contract Profitability
  • Government (DCAA, GSA) Audits
  • Compensation & Benefits Solutions
  • Mentor-Protégé & Joint Ventures
  • Reviewed & Audited Financial Statements
  • Tax Planning & Compliance
  • Credits & Incentives  

Graduation Stage

To thrive after graduation, companies must acclimate to a more competitive environment and deal with new regulatory requirements. Our team is ready to help you plan for life after the 8(a) program. We are experienced in:

  • Business Process & Compliance
  • FAR & Other Government Regulations
  • Contract Life Cycle Support
  • Contract Profitability
  • Cost & Pricing for Full & Open Competition
  • Compensation & Benefits Solutions
  • Mentoring Other 8(a)s
  • Transaction Advisory
  • Reviewed & Audited Financial Statements
  • Tax Planning & Compliance
  • Credits & Incentives  

Developmental Stage

Companies that understand the 8(a) program qualifications and certification requirements, as well as what is needed to manage certification to stay in compliance, avoid early graduation and are better positioned to thrive in the 8(a) program. As your business moves through the development stage, we can help with:

  • Application Planning
  • Tracking & Monitoring Economic Requirements
  • Business Process & Compliance
  • FAR & Other Government Regulations
  • Contract Life Cycle Support
  • Compensation & Benefits Solutions
  • Mentor-Protégé & Joint Ventures
  • Reviewed & Audited Financial Statements

Transitional Stage

Preparing for a competitive business environment, developing and maintaining a balance of commercial and government work, and effectively managing new hurdles to maintain compliance are critical to continue a solid growth trajectory. Cherry Bekaert can help you successfully navigate the transitional stage by supporting:

  • Economic Requirements
  • Business Process & Compliance
  • FAR & Other Government Regulations
  • Contract Life Cycle
  • Contract Profitability
  • Government (DCAA, GSA) Audits
  • Compensation & Benefits Solutions
  • Mentor-Protégé & Joint Ventures
  • Reviewed & Audited Financial Statements
  • Tax Planning & Compliance
  • Credits & Incentives  

Graduation Stage

To thrive after graduation, companies must acclimate to a more competitive environment and deal with new regulatory requirements. Our team is ready to help you plan for life after the 8(a) program. We are experienced in:

  • Business Process & Compliance
  • FAR & Other Government Regulations
  • Contract Life Cycle Support
  • Contract Profitability
  • Cost & Pricing for Full & Open Competition
  • Compensation & Benefits Solutions
  • Mentoring Other 8(a)s
  • Transaction Advisory
  • Reviewed & Audited Financial Statements
  • Tax Planning & Compliance
  • Credits & Incentives  
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

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