The 8(a) Business Development Program is a government program that provides assistance to small, disadvantaged businesses owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals. The program is administered by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and is designed to help small businesses compete in the marketplace and access federal contracting opportunities.
To be eligible for the 8(a) program, a business must be a small business as defined by the SBA and must be owned and controlled by individuals who are socially and economically disadvantaged. The 8(a) program provides a variety of assistance to participating businesses, including business development and technical assistance, access to contracting opportunities, and access to capital.
Participation in the 8(a) program is limited to a nine-year period. During this time, businesses may receive assistance and have the opportunity to compete for set-aside contracts. After nine years, businesses graduate from the program and are expected to compete in the open market.
The 8(a) program is intended to help small, disadvantaged businesses grow and succeed. If you are interested in participating in the 8(a) program, you should contact the SBA to learn more about the eligibility requirements and the application process.
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