SBA (8a) is an ownership/diversity certification sponsored by the Small Business Association (SBA) of the United States government. The 8(a) program is a nine-year business development program that provides business training, counseling, marketing, and technical assistance to small businesses that have been certified. The first four years of the program are the developmental stage and the last five years are the transition stage.
The Small Business Administration (SBA) 8(a) Sole Source vehicle enables agencies to engage in direct buy contracts with certified contractors, streamlining and simplifying the acquisition process for Contracting Officers and federal agencies. This acquisition method provides for direct negotiations in clarifying scope and budget, allowing both the federal government and 8(a) contractors to reduce risk in delivery.