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SBA 8(a) Program

Leveraging the SBA 8(a) Program for Growth and Opportunity

Section 8(a) of the Small Business Act, 15 USC. § 637, provides assistance and business development opportunities for socially and economically disadvantaged small businesses. Notably, the 8(a) Business Development (BD) Program helps these businesses compete in the marketplace and access federal and private procurement markets that would likely be unavailable to them otherwise. Specific benefits provided to both government procurement officials, as well as the small business itself (NVE) includes:

  • Streamlined, efficient procurement process through direct-award contracts
  • Ability to leverage the experience and manpower of larger businesses by utilizing the 8(a) Mentor-Protégé joint venture, subcontracting portions of the contract to large businesses, or awards to entity-owned firms, which often have reach-back to corporate family resources, support, and stability of larger and more experienced businesses
  • Aid to socially and economically disadvantaged peoples, bringing benefits to entire communities, like those of the Native Village of Eyak

 

The Procurement Benefits of Working With An SBA 8(a) Entity

The SBA 8(a) Program was designed to help socially and economically disadvantaged small businesses, like Copper River, compete in the marketplace and access federal and private procurement markets that would likely be unavailable to them otherwise.

The SBA 8(a) Program also provides procurement advantages to federal agencies which include:

For DoD, NASA, and the Coast Guard, 8(a) direct award CONTRACT thresholds are increased to $100M without justification.

 [Reference: FAR 6.304(a)(4)]

For other, non-DOD entities, 8(a) direct award contracts may be awarded to an Alaskan Tribal 8(a) entity of up to $30M without justification.

This is above the standard $8.5M threshold other socially & economically disadvantaged entities are subject to (i.e., entities that are not Alaska Native Corporations, Indian Tribes, or Native Hawaiian Organizations). [Reference: FAR 19.805-1(a)(2)]

Any 8(a) direct award contract awarded to an 8(a) entity is non-protestable.    [Reference: 13 CFR 124.517(a)]

The Steps to a direct award Contract

The process for establishing a direct award contract with Copper River has been streamlined with the help of the SBA. These contracts, which can be requirements based single award, Blanket Purchase/Blanket Ordering Agreements (BPA/BOA), or Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ), offer incredible flexibility and agility to our clients – meeting both near and long-term acquisition and requirements needs.
For more information about the SBA 8(a) Program or how to direct award contract, contact:
Ross Macarty

U.S. Small Business Administration
Office (907) 271-4022
Contact (907) 519-8197
ross.macarty@sba.gov

Alaska Owned SBA 8(a)

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