Our Programs

8(a) Business Development Program

Program Overview

A 9-year program designed to help small disadvantaged businesses compete in the federal marketplace. Participants can receive sole-source contracts up to $4.5 million for goods and services.

Key Benefits

Sole-source contracts (no competition required)
Mentoring and business development support
Joint venture opportunities
Management and technical assistance
Bid on set-aside contracts

Core Requirements

51% owned by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals
Personal net worth under $850,000
Average annual revenue under $850,000
Good character
Potential for success
U.S. citizen by birth or naturalization

Eligibility - Are You:

A member of a designated disadvantaged group
Able to demonstrate economic disadvantage
In business for at least 2 years
Currently managing day-to-day operations

Program Length

Development Stage (Years 1-4)
Transition Stage (Years 5-9)

What You Get

Access to reserved federal contracts
Business development assistance
Federal contract negotiation support
Management and technical guidance

HUBZone Program

Program Overview

HUBZone (Historically Underutilized Business Zone) program helps small businesses in urban and rural communities gain preferential access to federal procurement opportunities.

Key Benefits

3% federal government contracting goa
10% price evaluation preference
Exclusive HUBZone set-aside contracts
Participate in full and open competition
Join HUBZone joint ventures

Core Requirements

Principal office must be in a HUBZone
35% of employees must live in a HUBZone
51% owned and controlled by U.S. citizens
Small business by SBA standards

Eligibility - Are You:

Your business is in a HUBZone area
You meet employee residence requirements
Your business qualifies as small
You're owned by U.S. citizens

Important Notes

Must maintain HUBZone eligibility
Annual recertification required
Continuous monitoring of employee residency

What You Get

Competitive advantage in federal contracting
Access to special set-aside contracts
Price evaluation preference in full and open competition
Opportunity to form HUBZone joint ventures

CDFI (Community Development Financial Institutions) Program

Program Overview

CDFIs provide loans and financial services to businesses in underserved communities that typically lack access to traditional financing options.

Key Benefits

Access to capital when traditional banks say no
Flexible lending requirements
Lower interest rates
Longer repayment terms
Technical assistance and support

Core Requirements

Serve target market (low-income or underserved community)
Business located in CDFI investment area
Demonstrate community development impact
Meet basic business lending requirements

Eligibility - Are You:

Located in CDFI investment area
Serve low-income community
Have viable business plan
Demonstrate community impact
Meet basic credit requirements

Loan Features

Amounts: $5,000 to $2 million
Terms up to 25 years
Flexible collateral requirements
No prepayment penalties

What You Get

Business loans
Working capital
Equipment financing
Commercial real estate loans
Technical assistance

Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) Program

Program Overview

Federal contracting program designed to provide greater access to federal contracting opportunities for women-owned small businesses (WOSBs) and economically disadvantaged women-owned small businesses (EDWOSBs).

Key Benefits

Access to WOSB set-aside contracts
Compete for sole-source awards
5% federal contracting goal
Network with other women-owned businesses
Access to federal mentor-protégé programs

Core Requirements

51% owned and controlled by women
Woman manages day-to-day operations
U.S. citizen owner(s)
Qualify as small business
Women make long-term decisions

Eligibility - Check If

Women own majority of business
Woman manages daily operations
Your industry qualifies for WOSB
Meet size standards for your industry
U.S. citizen ownership

Important Notes

Must maintain current certification
Self-certification no longer accepted
Must use approved third-party certifiers
Annual updates required

What You Get

Compete for reserved contracts
Access to WOSB set-asides
Opportunities for sole-source awards
Federal contracting preference
Networking opportunities

Minority-Owned Business Program (8(a) and SDB)

Program Overview

Federal programs designed to promote business development and federal contracting opportunities for businesses owned by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals, including Black, Hispanic, Asian, and Native American business owners.

Key Benefits

Access to set-aside contracts
Business development assistance
Sole-source contract opportunities
Technical and management guidance
Networking with prime contractors

Core Requirements

51% owned by minority individuals
U.S. citizen ownership
Day-to-day management by minority owner
Meet small business size standards
Show good character and potential

Eligibility - Are You:

Black American owned
Hispanic American owned
Native American owned
Asian Pacific American owned
Subcontinent Asian American owned
Meet small business size standards

Important Notes

Self-certification for some programs
Formal certification for 8(a)
Annual reviews required
Must maintain eligibility

What You Get

Compete for federal set-asides
Business development mentoring
Management and technical assistance
Access to surplus property sales
Networking opportunities

Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) Program

Program Overview

Federal program providing procurement opportunities to small businesses owned by service-disabled veterans, ensuring they have access to federal contracting opportunities.