SBA Certified 8(a) small business

The Small Business Administration’s (SBA) 8a small business development program has recognized Analytica as an SBA Certified 8(a) small business contractor, allowing it to support US Federal Agencies through direct contract awards and utilizing various contract vehicles it holds. Through our participation in this program, Analytica can receive set aside and sole-source contracts to provide federal agencies with management consulting and IT solutions rapidly and easily. We are also able to form joint ventures or participate in the Mentor-Protégé program to support federal public sector organizations in health, financial services, intelligence, and commerce. For more information on the benefits of an 8(a) Sole Source and how to establish an 8(a) Sole Source, please review Analytica’s Sole Source Guide.

What is an SBA Certified 8(a) small business contractor?

The SBA’s 8(a) small business development program offers small, disadvantaged businesses a wide range of assistance to help them compete in the marketplace and gain traction in federal government contracting. The focus of the program is to provide business development support, including procurement assistance, mentoring, business counseling, financial assistance, and training to help small businesses participate in competitive acquisitions. 8(a) small businesses can receive set aside or sole-source contracts, as well as form joint ventures and teams to serve federal agencies under larger prime contracts. Participants in the program go through a four-year developmental stage and a five-year transition phase throughout the nine-year course of the program.

How Can Contracting Officers Leverage The 8(a) Small Business Program?

For federal contracting officers, using an 8(a) small business contractor makes procurement simple and streamlined. A program manager must have a valid requirement conveyed through a statement of work, and funding has to be available. As the contracting officer, a contracting officer can determine what type of 8(a) small business contracting opportunity to conduct.

• A competitive 8(a) set-aside contract can be awarded if the contracting officer has a reasonable expectation that at least two responsible 8(a) small businesses will submit offers and that the resulting contract can be awarded at a fair market price.
• A sole source 8(a) contract can be awarded if the contracting officer does not have a reasonable expectation that two or more qualified 8(a) small businesses will submit offers, determines that the qualified 8(a) small business contractor is responsible, and determines that the contract can be awarded at a fair price. The 8(a) sole source vehicle offers agencies a shortened acquisition process:
• Initiate a contract with a simple high-level statement of work
• Reduced decision cycle
• Lowered administrative costs
• Prices that reflect the best value

For more information about 8(a) set aside contracts Contact Us