1. You will have access to sole source/non-competitive federal contracts with a value of:

• $4M and under for all services related contracts.
• $6.5M and under for manufacturing related contracts.

2. You will have access to competitive set-aside federal contracts with a value of:

• $4M and over for all services related contracts.
• $6.5M and over for manufacturing related contracts.

3. You will severely limit your potential competition.

• There are less than 6,500 active 8(a) participants (As of November 2022) in the entire 8(a) Program.
• The big-guys (Lockheed Martin, CSC, EDS, Halliburton, etc.) cannot compete for these contracts.

4. It is easier for your federal prospects to buy from you.

• 8(a) contracts require much less paperwork, time and bureaucracy than most other federal procurement methods.
• 8(a) contracts cannot be protested.

5. It is a much faster contract award process.

• 8(a) contracts take about 1/10 the amount of time to be awarded compared to most other federal procurement methods.

6. 8(a) firms can form joint ventures and teams to bid on contracts.

• You will have the ability to perform larger prime contracts and overcome the effects of contract bundling, the combining of two or more contracts together into one large contract. Also through the SBA All Small Mentor Protege Program it will allow your firm to learn the ropes from other more experienced businesses.

For a free 8(a) program eligibility analysis, please take our online 8(a) eligibility questionnaire.

You are also welcome to review the basic 8(a) program eligibility requirements below.

Generally, to be approved into the 8(a) Program you must meet these basic eligibility requirements:

• All applicant(s) must be a US citizen. (Applicant = 51% or more owner or anyone else who is considered the applicant for 8(a) certification purposes). Additionally, all applicant(s) must reside in the United States.
• The applicant(s) must devote full-time to the business that is applying for 8(a) certification at the time of application submission. This means they must work at least 40 hours per week, during the normal business operating hours, within the business concern, without any other outside employment.
• The primary applicant must hold the highest management position within the business that is applying for 8(a) certification. Generally, this is the CEO, President or Managing Member.
• The primary applicant must be able to demonstrate that they are the highest compensated individual in the business that is applying for 8(a) certification. The SBA will most likely deny your 8(a) application if you cannot demonstrate the primary applicant is currently the highest compensated or there is a very good reason why they have elected not to be.
• The applicant(s) must have an adjusted net worth of less than $850,000 at the time they apply for 8(a) certification. Adjusted net worth = Assets – liabilities – (Equity in primary residence + value of ownership interest in business concern + IRA/401(k) or Other Retirement Accounts). Complete our adjusted net worth calculator to help determine yours.
• The applicant(s) AGI (Adjusted Gross Income) cannot be more than $400,000 averaged over the last three tax years.
• The applicant(s) cannot have transferred any personal assets during the last two years to an immediate family member for less than fair market value. If they have, the result of the transfer will be counted back towards their adjusted net worth.
• The applicant(s) must be a member of an SBA designated group that is considered socially disadvantaged. The following individuals are presumed to be socially disadvantaged for 8(a) certification purposes: Black Americans, Hispanic Americans, Native Americans (American Indians, Eskimos, Aleuts, or Native Hawaiians), Asian Pacific Americans (persons with origins from Burma, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Brunei, Japan, China, Taiwan, Laos, Cambodia (Kampuchea), Vietnam, Korea, The Philippines, U.S. Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands (Republic of Palau), Republic of the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, Samoa, Macao, Hong Kong, Fiji, Tonga, Kiribati, Tuvalu, or Nauru); or Subcontinent Asian Americans (persons with origins from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, the Maldives Islands or Nepal). Being born in a country does not by itself, suffice to make the birth country an individual’s country of origin for purposes of being included within a designated group. An individual must demonstrate that he or she has held himself or herself out, and is currently identified by others, as a member of their designated group if the SBA requires it. Native Americans and Hispanics with Anglo-names can expect their inclusion in their respective “designated groups” to be challenged, from time-to-time. Finally, Native Americans must be able to provide a copy of their federal or state recognized tribal card to be considered socially disadvantaged.
  
•  If the applicant(s) are not a member of one of the SBA designated groups they must also be able to submit a narrative statement of social disadvantage that meets the SBA preponderance of evidence standard.
• The applicant(s) must generally hold all licenses or professional certifications required to operate the business concern. The only exception is if the individual who holds the required license or professional certification is not an equity owner, and the applicant(s) can prove that they have ultimate supervisory control over this individual.
• The applicant(s), any other owner in the business or anyone else who is considered a key officer, employee or director cannot have any delinquent SBA loans, federal (taxes), state (taxes), liens, or local obligations unless they can provide proof of a payment arrangement agreement with the associated party along with copies of timely payments being made as proof of compliance. All liens must be satisfied.
• The applicant(s), any other owner in the business or anyone else who is considered a key officer, employee or director cannot have used their eligibility to qualify another 8(a) concern or been an officer of another current or past 8(a) participant.
• The applicant(s), any other owner in the business or anyone else who is considered a key officer, employee or director cannot have an immediate family member who is or has been a participant in the 8(a) program unless this other business is in a totally separate line of business and no business has been conducted together.
• The business concern, applicant(s), any other owner in the business or anyone else who is considered a key officer, employee or director cannot have filed for bankruptcy in the last (7) seven years unless the bankruptcy has been discharged by the court.
• The applicant(s), any other owner in the business or anyone else who is considered a key officer, employee or director should generally not be involved in any pending civil lawsuits that could adversely affect the business applying for the 8(a) program.
• The applicant(s) cannot have any ownership in another business concern other than the business concern that is applying for 8(a) certification unless it is an entity solely for the purpose for holding and managing real estate.
• Any other owner in the business or anyone else who is considered a key officer, employee or director who has ownership interest in any other business, other than the business concern that is applying for 8(a) certification may possibly cause the SBA to affiliate the associated business.
• Any other owner in the business or anyone else who is considered a key officer, employee or director who has ownership interest in any other business cannot be the former employer of the applicant(s) for 8(a) certification.
• The applicant(s), any other owner in the business or anyone else who is considered a key officer, employee or director cannot be debarred from doing business with the federal government.
• The applicant(s), any other owner in the business or anyone else who is considered a key officer, employee or director cannot be on probation or parole. If anyone has been arrested in the past it does not automatically deny them unless they were convicted of a specific crime. Having an arrest, regardless of how long ago, will delay the review of your 8(a) application by a minimum of 90 additional days.
• The business concern must be considered a small business by the SBA. Your primary NAICS code, gross sales and sometimes the number of employees define your size standard that the SBA will base its size determination on.
• The business concern must have been in business for two full years. In addition, the last two years of its filed business tax returns must show a reasonable amount of revenues. If it has not, you must seek a waiver and meet the (5) five conditions set by the SBA.
• The business concern and the applicant(s) cannot have any delinquent tax filings or have any any delinquent SBA loans, federal (taxes), state (taxes), liens, or local obligations unless they can provide proof of a payment arrangement agreement with the associated party along with copies of timely payments being made. All liens must be satisfied.
• The business concern must be at least 51% directly owned and controlled by the applicant(s). The business concern must be a for-profit business and cannot be classified as a broker or be a subsidiary of another business concern.
• The business concern’s current year-to-date financial statements, at a minimum, must exhibit positive net income, positive net equity and positive working capital at the time of application submission.
• The business concern cannot be determined to be economically dependent on one of its clients. Please see the 8(a) economic dependency or the 70% rule explained article for further information and to determine if your business would be determined to be economically dependent by the SBA.
• If the business concern has existing management, joint venture, indemnity, consulting, distributorship, license, trust or franchise agreements, the SBA will want to review these in detail.
• If changes of ownership have occurred to the business concern in the past two years, and the current applicant(s) have become the new majority owners, the SBA will want to examine these ownership changes in great detail. This can possibly be an eligibility issue based upon your unique circumstances.
• If the business has ownership in or an affiliation with another business the SBA will want to examine this in detail.
• If another business has ownership in the business concern applying for 8(a) certification, the SBA will want to examine this in great detail.
• If the business concern buys from, sells to, or uses the services or facilities of any other business concern, or conduct business with any other business concern in which any other owner in the business or anyone else who is considered a key officer, employee, other than the applicant(s), the SBA will want to examine this in detail.
• The business concern applying for 8(a) certification cannot have been previously approved for the 8(a) program.
• If any other business concern or anyone who is considered a key officer, employee, other than the applicant(s) provides financial, bonding support, licenses, or required professional certification, office space or equipment to the business concern that is applying for 8(a) certification, the SBA will want to examine this in detail.
• The business concern applying for 8(a) certification cannot have been started with 50% or more of the assets of a previously certified 8(a) program participant.
• The business concern must not be subcontracting out more than the allowable percentages. See CFR §125.6 for what are the prime contractor’s limitations on subcontracting for the specific percentages.

Please Note. Above are the general 8(a) program eligibility requirements. There may be more eligibility requirements based upon your unique business circumstances.

Keep in mind that each 8(a) application is unique and document requirements vary for each 8(a) application.

Below is a general list of items that will need to be included within your 8(a) application. Your unique application may require additional items not specified below. Please note, the SBA can request anything they deem necessary to make a final determination on your 8(a) application. Failure to provide any requested information can result in a denial.

• Signed 1040 personal tax returns (last three filing years) including all schedules, attachments, W-2’s, 1099’s and proof of payment for any tax owed for each 8(a) Applicant and their spouse.
• Signed business federal tax returns including all schedules and attachments for the last five filing years, or as many as you have been in business, if less than five years. Proof of payment for any tax owed may be required, if applicable.
• Balance Sheet, Income Statement, A/P and A/R aging statements no older than 30 days old for the current year to date. Please note, your financial statements must be prepared either on an income tax basis or be GAAP compliant.
• Balance Sheet, Income Statement, A/P and A/R aging statements for the last three completed fiscal years.
• A resume for each 8(a) applicant and any other key officer, employee, director or 10% or more owner.
• A detailed listing of all clients broken down by revenue earned for the last 12 months and for the last three years.
• A current certificate of good standing (required for Corporations and LLC’s only).
• Stock certificates/Stock ledger (Corp), Membership Certificates/ledger (LLC).
• Articles of Incorporation/Organization/Partnership filing/DBA Filing.
• Foreign Organization Filings and associated Certificates of Good Standing (If applicable).
• Articles of Conversion/Buy-Sell Agreements, Voting Agreements (if applicable).
• Bylaws, Operating Agreement or Partnership Agreement that meet the SBA 8(a) program control requirements.
• Stockholder/Board or Member Meeting minutes (Most Recent).
• Proof of US citizenship (if required).
• Business bank signature cards.
• Copies of all business and special licenses.
• Copies of any business loan agreements.
• A copy of the current lease agreement for business.
• A current personal financial statement and supporting statements for the following: (Checking/Savings, IRAs with terms and conditions including a signed and dated certification attesting to the fact the accounts have a penalty for withdrawal, Life Insurance (Cash Surrender only), Stocks/Bonds, Mortgage, Deeds, Fair Market Value for Real Estate, Any Other Assets (Boats, RV’s, Motorcycle, Other Business Ownership, etc.), Automobile Title/Registration and associated loans, Credit Cards, Home equity or any other Loan Agreements (Student, etc.).

We have worksheets, samples, and templates that assist in collecting and developing most of the information requested. For example, if you do not have a set of bylaws or an operating agreement, we can assist in the creation of these documents for an additional hourly fee.

It typically takes us 2 business days to perform the express review of your 8(a) application documentation, although this time frame can be shorter or longer depending on the degree of complexity of your 8(a) application.

Once your 8(a) Application is submitted to the SBA for review, you will typically receive an email or notification through certify.sba.gov within 1 day to 2 business weeks that identifies your SBA reviewer.

Your SBA reviewer, may at this time, request additional information to answer any questions they have. We can prepare all formal responses to the SBA as part of our 8(a) Application Review Service, for an additional hourly fee.

Once the SBA has determined that your 8(a) Application is deemed complete, it will take approximately 3 to 5 months to be notified of a decision by the SBA.

The 8(a) Application Express Review is a one-time review of your application. After we review your existing 8(a) Application through certify.sba.gov you will receive a single progress report and you will be responsible for making all recommended changes, additions, etc. to your 8(a) Application. Application. Worksheets, samples, and templates that can assist in collecting and developing most of the information requested can be provided for an additional fee. Additional assistance or post 8(a) Application submission support is available for an hourly fee.

The full 8(a) Application Review includes unlimited reviews of your existing 8(a) Application. Worksheets, samples, and templates that can assist in collecting and developing most of the information requested is provided as part of the service. For example, if you do not have a set of bylaws or an operating agreement, we can assist in the creation of these documents.We continue to work one-on-one with you to ensure your 8(a) Application is 100% complete and compliant before submitting to the SBA. Additionally, post submission support is included in our full 8(a) Application Review Service.

We maintain a very high success rate for our 8(a) Application Review Service. In fact, our success rate is over 99% . We are able to reach this success rate by doing an extensive review of your application documents.

1. We live and breathe 8(a) Certification!

• We keep up to date on all of the latest daily SBA 8(a) Program changes.
• We have a detailed understanding of the current SBA 8(a) Regulations.
• We review all of the latest SBA OHA (Office of Hearings and Appeals) cases on 8(a) Certification.

2. We have a very strong success rate!

• We maintain a success rate of over 99% for clients.
• We have assisted thousands of small businesses to achieve and maintain their 8(a) Program Certification.
• We have real references to back up our success rate, that you can contact.

3. We have 20+ years of experience within the 8(a) Program!

• All services performed are by Cloveer employees, not outside contractors, like some of our competitors.
• We just don’t offer 8(a) Certification Completion Services. We offer full life-cycle 8(a) Program services before and after you get 8(a) Certified.
• Our principals (Rick and Monica Otero) worked in their family’s 8(a) Certified business (RJO Enterprises). It was one of the country’s most successful 8(a), high-tech, information technology and electronics concerns. It was recognized for five consecutive years as one of the fastest growing companies in the nation, by Inc. Magazine.

4. We won’t waste your time!

• When you ask a question, you will get a straight answer with no double talk.

5. We believe in Customer Service!

• We believe in treating every client with the respect they deserve as a small business.
• Our service agreements guarantee protection of your confidential information.
• All information provided to us is protected on our secure server and will never be shared with anyone.

Finally. We are the best 8(a) Program consultant that is available on the market. The others just try to emulate us.

You can view our list of testimonials and call any of our clients.

The fee to complete the 8(a) Application Review is: $999.00.

This is fee payable in one installment.

We accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, Checks, PayPal and Wire Transfer for payment.

Request a Service Agreement, if you are ready to proceed.

• You are welcome to view our blog or 8(a) faqs for more frequently asked questions on the SBA 8(a) Program.
• You can also view the latest SBA 8(a) Regulations (CFR: Title 13:Part 124) and read up on the extensive rules and regulations that govern the 8(a) Program.