The United Sates federal government is the world’s largest employer! The department of defense employs 3.2 million people while Walmart has 2.1 employees and McDonald’s 1.9 worldwide. As a business owner, why wouldn’t you want to do business with the largest employer in the world?
If you’re interested in federal contracts, the 8(a) Business Development Program is an important resource for small businesses seeking business-development assistance.
Named for Section 8(a) of the Small Business Act, this program was created to help small and disadvantaged businesses compete in the marketplace. It also helps these companies gain access to federal and private procurement markets.
What is the purpose of the 8(a) Business Development Program?
Its focus is to provide business development support including:
- Mentoring
- Procurement assistance
- Business counseling
- Training
- Financial assistance
- Surety bonding
- Other management and technical assistance
The application is lengthy and will need your full attention to detail. It is probably best to get an SBA Mentor to assist you with the application process to ensure that the information you provide is in a manner consistent with SBA policies. This could eliminate any future issues with your application.
There are companies that will tell you they can help you get 8(a) certified. You don’t need to pay an outside company to do it. You just have to make sure all your papers are in order. Some of the information you may need to produce include taxes, operation agreement, board of directors’ information (meeting minutes), by-laws, personal financial information, loan agreements and by laws.
Visibility Marketing Inc. received our 8(a) certification on 2011. It was a difficult process and we’re happy that we are in!
The nine-year program helps small, disadvantaged businesses compete in the government’s market place. Thousands of aspiring entrepreneurs like us (and you!) are able to gain a foothold on government business.
By participating in the program, Visibility Marketing Inc. can receive sole-source contracts, but we can also form joint ventures for opportunities, like the one we’ve formed with Möbius Grey (Mö-Vis).
If you’re interested in becoming 8(a) certified, give us a call. We can explain our experiences and point you in the right direction.