Get 8a Certification for Your Company to Do Business in The Federal Market

The federal market of the United States is highly competitive. Competing with the larger commercial companies or we can say established federal contractors in the federal market of the United States is pretty tough for new and small businesses. Business owners who have social and economic disadvantages should apply for 8a certification. The main purpose of the 8a program is to support businesses to grow gradually in the federal market. Not every business can get into the 8a program, because your business needs to fulfill the eligibility criteria. 

In this blog, we have discussed the eligibility criteria, steps to apply for 8a certification, and other important points to remember. We have also given a list of the benefits that you can get by becoming a participant of the 8a program. So, let’s get straight to the point to know precisely about the subject matter.

Eligibility criteria for the 8a program

Your business must qualify for the eligibility criteria of the 8a program. Let’s look at the criteria to obtain 8a certification.

• The business needs to be small in order to apply for 8a certification. 
• Business owners need to have citizenship of the United States. 
• At least 51% of the business needs to be owned and controlled. 
• The owner of the business should be socially and economically disadvantaged. 
• The business owners must be having at least two years of experience. 
• The total net worth of the business should not exceed $750 thousand. 
• The total asset should be $6 million or less. 
• The gross income should be $350 thousand or less. 
• The business owner should demonstrate good character without any negative record.

If your business meets all these requirements then only you can apply for 8a certification. 

Steps to apply for 8a certification

To apply for 8a certification applicants need to go through a lengthy and complex procedure. We have broken down the process into three simple steps so that the readers can understand.

• Identify your primary NAICS code. 
• Register your business with the System for Award Management (SAM).

Apply for 8a certification.

Learn precisely about each of these steps to go through the process smoothly. You need to know to identify your primary NAICS code and learn more about registering with the System for Award Management. Make sure to learn more about the application procedure for the 8a certification as well.

Important points you must know for getting into the 8a program

• Be aware of all the legal factors and adhere to all the rules that are set by the government of the United States. 
• Don’t make any mistakes while going through the process of obtaining the 8a certification. 
• Conduct thorough federal market research before you apply for the 8a certification. 
• Take out all the valid reports and analyze them precisely. 
• Strategize your government marketing plan. 
• Work in a systematic manner to avoid any sort of confusion or uncertainty.

Benefits of 8a certification

We have already mentioned that there are several benefits that you can get by becoming a participant in the 8a program. Do check the list given below to know about the benefits.

• Get sole-sourcing contracts from the government agencies without going through the bidding process. 
• Compete with less number of federal contractors to obtain government contracts. 
• Get rid of excessive regulations or rigid conformity to formal rules that are considered to be bureaucratic.  
• Receive large and long-term contractual projects from government organizations.  
• Partner with other firms to run a joint venture. 
• Grow faster than the competitors. 
• Get goods and services before and after a disaster through the Federal Emergency Management Agency of the United States.

Conclusion

Now you know about the process for obtaining the 8a certification to get into the program. Readers have also got to know about the benefits of the 8a program. Meet the eligibility criteria and apply for 8acertification.