8a Business
An 8a Business is traditionally a minority or woman owned business which has been certified by the General Services Administration (GSA) as meriting access to certain government contracts which have been "set-aside" by the Federal Government for such businesses. The GSA uses the terms "Socially Disadvantaged" or "Economically Disadvantaged" when referring to the types of businesses which qualify for 8a business certification. A brief discussion of what it means to be "Socially Disadvantaged" or "Economically Disadvantaged" is below.
SBA's 8(a) Business Development Program
The Small Business Administration (SBA) has put together an 8(a) Business Development Program to assist them once they have become certified by the GSA. The SBA has set up a nine year program to assist 8a Businesses participating in the program. The program helps such businesses with the training and product or service marketing they need to be successful in sell to or working with the Federal Government. Admission to the program is given to those 8a Businesses which are unconditionally owned and controlled by a U.S. citizen who is socially or economically disadvantaged and can demonstrate that his, her or their business can be successful if given assistance from the SBA.
Socially Disadvantaged Citizens
GSA has defined the term "socially disadvantaged individual" to mean a person who has been subjected to racial or ethnic prejudice or cultural bias in the United States by virtue of them being members of a particular group. These groups include, but are not limited to, Black Americans, Hispanic Americans, American Indians.
Economically Disadvantaged Citizens
GSA has defined the term "economically disadvantaged" to mean a person whose ability to compete in the free market has been impaired due to a lessened ability to obtain credit or capital when compared with other similarly situated people. Economically disadvantaged people are often in geographic areas where business is scarce.
If you meet either the Socially or Economically disadvantaged criteria, your business may be a candidate for 8a certification.