Thinking About Federal Contracts? Here’s the Truth About 8a Certification Requirements

A while back, a small business owner told me, “Government contracts? No chance. That stuff’s only for giant companies with lawyers and lobbyists.” It’s a common thought. And honestly, I used to believe the same thing. But here’s the reality: the federal government has programs built specifically so smaller businesses can get in the game. The most talked about one? The SBA’s 8a program. And if you want in, the first hurdle is meeting the 8a Certification Requirements. Why the 8a Program Exists The government knows that small and disadvantaged businesses often get boxed out when competing against large corporations. The 8a program was designed to fix that giving a share of contracts to businesses that might not otherwise stand a chance. But before you think it’s a free ticket, let me stop you. The 8a Certification Requirements are strict, and they should be. The Core Requirements (Without the Jargon) Here’s what really matters: Your business must be small. The SBA sets size standard...