What 8(a) Certification Means for Your GovCon

Editors Note: This was updated 12/13/2022

There are many programs geared towards helping small businesses participate in the federal contracting industry.  The 8(a) certification program is designed for socio-economically disadvantaged folks to get their foot in the door, starting their GovCon off on a strong note. There are rules that are well covered by the SBA, but a key component is the non-negotiable 9-year clock on the certification, regardless of how well you’ve done in your time under 8(a) certification.

Many business owners in their 7^th, 8^th or even 9^th year, don’t have a plan for getting beyond their 8(a) certification status.  Even though it is easy to get busy and wrapped up in 8(a) benefits, there is an expiration date, and that expiration date is given to the business when they are certified.  Those who really understand its value can maximize their revenue stream and profit while utilizing it to compete in a full and open environment.  There is an art and a science to this maximization.

The Science:

Here’s the trick – Don’t apply for 8(a) certification the minute you are eligible.  This sounds counter-intuitive since the program is designed for helping those grow their companies.  But slug it out a few years without the certification and get some great subcontracting performance under the belt before applying for 8(a) certification.  Build relationships with great Primes and more importantly, the customers.  Only then should one apply the “special sauce” that comes with dangling the idea of a sole source to their customer.  Propose meeting subcontracting goals to a large prime with whom you’ve already worked.  By this point, you are a known player and less of a risk, with a check in the box for their contracting goals.

The Art:

• Stop hiring friends and family.
• Stop playing only the 8(a) certification card.
• Don’t be cheap on internal resources.
• Go after full and open opportunities as early as possible.
• Spend profits on hiring a strong BD and proposal shop.
• Invest in building beyond the status.
• Have a differentiator beyond a status.
• Delivery quality work.

As time ticks down, with a strong Capture and BD team, a business can start maximizing their status to rack and stack revenue wins. This will help to carry them over the inevitable waterfall of dropping revenue when they lose their eligibility to bid.  For Pete’s sake, get another 8(a) to set up contracts with reciprocal work share.  Do not wait until the 8^th year (or the eleventh hour) to come up with a successor.  That relationship is vital to hanging on to billets in the out years.  Leverage it to gain workshare on the non-8(a) work that a business can deliver on.

While it does feel like every year in GovCon seems like seven years, the clock for 8(a)’s winds down FAST.  Don’t waste the opportunity. Make sure to get your GovCon certified under 8(a) when the time is right.