Quit Claim Deed

Quit Claim Deed

One of my clients recently contacted me about obtaining a GSA contract schedule for his business.  We talked about how his business is set up and I found out he wants to tranfer ownership of his business to his daughter and then retire.  He said his daughter is already handling the daily operation of the business.  I told him that if he did transfer the business to his daughter the business might be eligible for 8a certification.

SBA Form 1010 and Form 1010B

SBA Form 1010 is the form used to apply for the SBA 8(a) Business Development Program.  In addition to Form 1010, each person owning 10% or more of the business and each director, management member, partner, and officer needs to complete Form 1010B.  These forms provide basic information to the SBA about the business and its owners which the SBA will use to make a preliminary determination of whether the business is eligible for 8a certification.  Prior to filling out Form 1010, the applicant company needs to register with Central Contractor Registration, the Dynamic Small Business Search, and a DUNS Number.

GSA CCR Registration

The Central Contractor Registration (CCR) system is the gateway for private businesses to obtain contracts with the federal government.  A private company must be registered with CCR prior to being awarded any contract, basic agreement, basic ordering agreement, or blanket purchase agreement.  This registration is helpful to both the federal government and to the private company.  It helps the federal government by creating a single database for all government agencies to find and shop for private companies.  It helps private companies by cutting down on redundant paperwork that would be required if the private company wanted to do business with mulitple agencies.  It also makes marketing to federal agencies simpler.

8a Certification Process

What is 8a Certification?

8a Certification is the term used for socially or economically disadvantaged businesses who have gone through the application process with the General Services Administration (GSA) and been awarded a GSA schedule contract.  Once 8a Certified, the 8a Business is then able to take advantage of any number of contracts which the federal government has mandated can only be fulfilled by 8a businesses.  These mandated contracts are known as "Small Business Set Asides."  More specifically, "8a Small Business Set Asides."

Women Owned Small Business Certification

GSA and SBA Women Owned Small Business Certification

The General Services Administration (GSA) and Small Business Administration (SBA) are federal agencies which have been given the responsibility for assisting Women Owned Small Businesses (WOSB) succeed in obtaining contracts with the federal government.  These agencies recognize that traditionally WOSB's have been left out or otherwise overlooked for federal government contracts simply because the WOSB was owned and operated by women.  They now seek to level the playing field by setting aside a number of federal contracts specifically for WOSB's.  If you own a WOSB you can take advantage of these set asides by becoming certified with the GSA and SBA and obtaining a GSA schedule contract.

Women Owned Business and the GSA

Federal Contracts Set Aside for Women Owned Businesses

The Federal Government has provided special assistance to Women Owned Small Businesses (WOSB) who want to provide goods or services to Government Agencies. This assistance has come, in part, by instructing Federal contracting officers (i.e. people who purchase goods and services for the Federal government) to specifically limit certain Federal contracts to women-owned small businesses. These limits are known as Women-Owned Small Business "Set Asides."  Contracts which are designated by contracting officers as Women-Owned Small Business Set Asides may not be fulfilled by other small or large businesses unless a qualified WOSB cannot be found.

What is a GSA Schedule?

A GSA Schedule is a long-term contract between a private business and the federal government.  The Schedule is for an indefinite quantity and an indefinite delivery date.  Basically, you provide the GSA with a list of products or services (including prices, delivery terms, warranties, and other terms and conditions) and the GSA determines whether your list meets their criteria.  If so, your business is given a GSA contract number and your products are added to the GSA's database known as the GSA Advantage.  Government agencies can then use that database to find your products.  The purpose for awarding GSA Schedules is to make it easier for the federal government to find and purchase your products or services.

What is an 8a Business?

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.

GSA Schedules: The Application Process

I thought it might be interesting to my readers to read an actual account of the process first hand from one of my clients.  My client Outersports, LLC has graciously written the following about the process:

What is GSA Advantage?

GSA Advantage is the website used by federal agencies to purchase goods and services from private companies. It is basically where the federal government goes to shop.

To be listed on GSA Advantage, a private company must first obtain a GSA Schedule (or Contract) Number.