8(a) Program
How the Program Works
The 8 (a) program is intended to benefit both the client as well as the contractor through mechanisms that ensure quality performance. Prior to acceptance into the program, the contractor is subjected to a rigorous review of its ownership, daily management, operations, experience and financial status. Only those contractors that can document disadvantaged business status and demonstrate the viability of the organization are accepted into the program. Once accepted, the contractor is required to provide the SBA with a detailed business plan that must be updated annually. Upon acceptance, each contractor is assigned (NAICS) codes based on the qualifications and experience of the company and key personnel. Performance of 8(a) contracts is then limited to those (NAICS) codes. As a company gains experience and expertise, it may request additional codes from the SBA based on documentation of this experience.