About the SBA 8(a) Business Development Program
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: