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Small businesses areto the U.S. economy - the Federal Government needs your partnership!
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610 businesses approved for the 8(a) Program in 2021
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4,910 active 8(a) Program participants at the end of 2021

As the largest purchaser of goods and services in the world, the U.S. federal government receives vital support from small disadvantaged businesses, including those in the 8(a) Business Development Program.

Benefits of the 8(a) Business Development Program include:
  • Access to sole-source and competitive set-aside contracts
  • Business development assistance from dedicated Business Opportunity Specialists
  • Assistance from federal procurement experts
  • Opportunities to create joint ventures with established businesses
  • Priority access to federal surplus property
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Type in your NAICS or a description of your business to see how much the Federal Government has awarded in your field.
Change your NAICS Code
NAICS Code:
Description:
Amount awarded in FY21:

Is your company generating revenue?
Do you have a track record of delivering quality goods and services on time and within budget?
Can you invoice and receive payments electronically?
Can you cover your costs (hire personnel, purchase equipment, cover overhead expenses, etc.) prior to receiving your first payment?
Do you own and control a small business located in the U.S.?
Are you under the financial limits?

  1. Annual personal income: $350,000 per year

  2. Net worth: $750,000

    (Value of everything you own minus the value of everything you owe: $750,000 not including the value of your home, company, or retirement accounts)

  3. Total assets: $6 million (Not including retirement accounts)

Can you provide reliable annual financial statements (Balance Sheet and Income Statement)?
Are you a U.S citizen?
Are you a member of one of the following socially disadvantaged groups?

  1. Native American

  2. Black American

  3. Hispanic American

  4. Asian Pacific American

  5. Subcontinent Asian American

  6. I believe I am socially disadvantaged for another reason (Learn more here)

Familiarize yourself with the application process by clicking through the links below

  • Application Preview

    Application Preview

  • Quick Start Guide

    Quick Start Guide

  • Tip for Success

    Tips for Success

  • Local Assistance

    Local Assistance

Select your business type below for a document checklist

  • Sole Proprietorship

    Sole Proprietorship

  • Partnership

    Partnership

  • LLC*

    LLC

  • Corporation

    Corporation

  • Entity-Owned

    Entity Owned
*LLCs filing taxes as S Corporations or disregarded entities should select the LLC button above

Before you can create an account in Certify:

  1. You must be registered in SAM.gov (When you register, SAM.gov will assign you a UEI and MPIN)
  2. You will need to provide your UEI, MPIN and your TIN to link your SAM.gov profile with your Certify account
  3. Use the same email address used to register your company in SAM.gov to create your Certify account
Only the owner or legal representative of the company can claim the business in Certify

Contributor accounts are reserved for the following:

  • Additional owners holding 20% or more of the company
  • Officers
  • Directors
  • Partners
  • Any other person with significant authority over the company

To create your Contributor account in Certify you must:

  1. Request an email invitation from the applicant
  2. Use the same email address to which your invitation was sent (If your email does not match, your account will not be linked to the correct application)
If you want to use a different email address, contact the company owner and have them resend your invite to the correct email address

  • Login

    Login

Complete your 8(a) Annual Review in Certify every year to ensure eligibility to continue participating in the 8(a) Business Development Program.
You will receive an email notification when it is time to complete your 8(a) Annual Review.
Review the checklist below to identify the documents and information needed to completed your 8(a) Annual Review.

  • Document Checklist

    Document Checklist

  • Quick Start Guide

    Quickstart

  • Entity-Owned

    Entity Owned

You must renew and update your SAM.gov profile annually. Updates to your company's profile in SAM.gov may take 1-3 days to be reflected in Certify. If you require any assistance with your SAM.gov profile, click here to submit a request to the Federal Service Desk.

  • FAQs

    FAQs

  • Help Desk

    Help
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