Small business owners in the United States that have suffered from both economic and social
disadvantage can avail themselves to the Small Business Administration (SBA) and enter what is
called the 8(a) Business Development program. Entrance into the program is obtained through
the acquisition of 8(a) Certification. This program is a business development program designed
to help small businesses overcome past hardships and challenges the owner(s) have experienced.
The owner of the firm must be a U.S. Citizen to apply.
The program is designed to give preference to the 8(a) certified business in working with federal
clients by obtaining contracts from Departments or the agencies of those Departments. The total
number of 8(a) certified firms has ranged from 6,500 to 10,000 firms in recent years. This
business development program can help a small business grow by cutting the government red
tape normally associated with federal contracts. This allows these small business entrepreneurs
to get their feet wet in federal contracting and use that experience to fast track their firm to
success. Small business owners who are finding it difficult to grow their business through
traditional organic/commercial methods find the SBA 8(a) Business Development program to be
a great resource.

IT, Management Consulting and Construction are the three most common industries for 8(a)
Firms ABOUT 8(A) CERTIFICATION PROGRAM