Mega Wega Inc

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WHAT IS THE 8(A) PROGRAM AND WHAT ADVANTAGES DOES IT OFFER TO POTENTIAL BUSINESSES CERTIFIED UNDER THIS PROGRAM ? The SBA administers two particular business assistance programs for small disadvantaged businesses. These programs are the 8(a) Business Development Program and the Small Disadvantaged Business Certification Program. The 8(a) Program offers a broad scope of assistance to socially and economically disadvantaged firms whereas the SDB certification strictly pertains to benefits in federal procurement. If a firm becomes 8(a) certified, they are automatically SDB certified as well. But, if a firm becomes SDB certified, they are not 8(a) certified. The SBA 8(a) program is a nine year program. A firm may only be certified once under the 8(a) program. During the first 4 years of this program, firms are in a developmental stage or growth stage. For the next 5 years; firms are in a transitional stage. The 8(a) program is SBA's effort to promote equal access for socially and economically disadvantaged individuals to participate in the business sector the nation's economy. The SBA provides assistance to all small businesses. Socially and economically disadvantaged individuals represent a significant percentage of U.S. citizens, and, yet, account for a disproportionately small percentage of total U.S. business revenues. The program recognizes the historical lack of equal access that minorities and other disadvantaged individuals have had to the resources needed to develop their small businesses. This program assists 8 (a) approved firms to participate in the business sector and to become independently competitive in the marketplace. WHAT ARE BENEFITS OF A FIRM BEING 8(A) CERTIFIED ? -BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE A Business Opportunity Specialist ( BOS ) from the SBA will be assigned to each firm once they have become 8 (a) certified. This person is responsible for providing the 8(a) firm with access 'to assistance that can help the firm fulfill its business goals. The BOS counselor can provide access to assistance in the following areas: A - Procurement B - Marketing C - Financial D - Management E - Surety Bonding (this is particularly important to those in the construction field) -GOVERNMENT CONTRACT OPPORTUNITIES The SBA undertakes an extensive effort to provide contracting opportunities to those businesses certified under their 8(a) program. The SBA maintains close contact with various federal agencies to keep government personnel informed of the 8(a) program goals and procedures and to request that contract opportunities be reserved for the 8(a) program. In fact, there are some federal contracts that are set aside so that only 8(a) certified or SDB certified firms can bid on them. There are other cases where federal contracts are awarded to 8(a) firms without being put out for open bidding. These are called sole source contracts. It is imperative that 8(a) certified firms conduct independent marketing activities for contract opportunities both in the public and private sector. When a 8(a) firm soliciting business with U.S.

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