Watch the video for the best 8a certification tips

The video for 8a certification above is the most precise source of information for the SBA minority program. The applicant to the program is in constant fear of getting the application rejected or denied as the SBA is very strict in the application scrutiny.
The reason for such strict evaluation is that the SBA does not want any foul play in granting the 8a status.

Getting the 8a certification and doing trade with the government is a prestigious thing as it speaks volume for the company or firm’s potential. There can be chances that the company owner can pose as small and disadvantaged company and get on the 8a program.
There are multiple benefits of getting on the 8a program. There are workshops, the mentor ship program and access to federal contract through government agencies who only wants to goods from 8a certified companies and firms who have the 8a certification.

Also Read: Understanding the top 10 benefits of 8a certification

These features make the minority program very attractive and beneficiary for the small and disadvantaged companies.
However, the bottleneck is to get on the program as the criteria might appear simple and straightforward in the beginning. But to establish them, the applicant requires to prepare and submit a huge volume of documents. This takes plenty of time, failing which results in rejection or cancellation of the application for 8a certification.
Hiring a consulting firm for the job saves a lot of time and effort of the applicant to the program. However, they are paid services, still, the company owners hire them to save themselves from the tedious and time-consuming job.

Here’s A Quick Way to Solve the 8a Certification Problem

There are plenty of issues which the applicant for 8a certification comes across in the process. The first trouble which is common is to figure out the purpose of the program. Once the issue is solved by understanding that the program is for the small and disadvantaged companies. It aims to give them the opportunity to do trade in the federal market; the next issue crops up that how to figure out the eligibility of the company for the program.
Again, research and consulting about the eligibility criteria for 8a certification does help to ascertain the position of the company for the program. It takes time to prepare the application and submit the documents to get on the program, so the entrepreneur is always keen to figure out if they qualify for the program or not.

Next, is to prepare the application and documents. There are consulting firms which provide services for the process. They know their job and have earned immense experience by working in the same domain for years. Although, the SBA 8a certification cannot be influenced in any way, however, these professional have a good experience of working with plenty of clients.
The video above discusses the criteria in detail and watching it one can understand how crucial it is to understand the criteria to get on the program. Failing to understand the criteria can lead to cancellation or rejection of the application for 8a certification.

Why 8a Certification is so vital for small and disadvantaged companies

The criteria for 8a certification are quite elaborate and the video above discusses it in detail. it is important to understand the criteria as it is very important for small companies to get a chance to do trade in the federal market.
The minority program by the SBA is to provide support to the disadvantaged businesses and firms. But they need to meet the five criteria’s for the eligibility of the certification. The eligibility criteria are complicated and require a deep study to find out if your company’s eligible for the certification.

For being eligible for 8a certification, any one or more than one of the condition is adequate to apply for the certification. For any business or firm which is disadvantaged should obtain the certification to enter the mainstream market and perform to its potential.
For certain conditions, a waiver to the 8a certification eligibility criterion is also provided. This enables businesses with potential not to wait until they meet the requisite criteria. This applies to the last criterion which is to demonstrate the potential of the firm. Here, to prove the potential it is required for the firm to be in business for at least two years, however, a waiver can be granted for this rule.

The effect of the waiver is seen on the other criterion as well which states that not more than 70% of the revenue of the business should not be single sourced. The eligibility for 8a certification is complicated and thorough research is required to check the eligibility status of the firm or business.

How to Apply Successfully for 8a Certification

The entrepreneur of small business always has the vision of expanding and growing the business with 8a certification. However, nurturing the dream for long is actually procrastination of the job. So, the best approach is to get on the program as soon as possible.
The applicant needs to prove that he/she is eligible for the 8a program and is the rightful owner of the disadvantaged business. There are five main criteria to prove this and if the documents submitted are not supporting the fact, the SBA rejects and denies the application for 8a certification immediately.
The video above discusses the criteria in detail which is very important for the applicant to understand it thoroughly.

The SBA provides certification to disadvantaged business to prove them eligible for federal trade. It is a known fact that the Federal is the biggest buyer of goods and services and the certification program helps the disadvantaged business. It provides them the opportunity to earn their rightful market share with the Federal help.
The video is prepared by the expert consultants who help the small companies in the certification program. A few minutes can be easily spared to watch the correct and rightful information. So, if you are stuck in the application process, watch the video for correct info.
The 8a certification has the term for 9 nine years which is long enough for any business to establish itself to face the competitive commercial market.

8a Certification is A Thing of the Present and Here’s why

Well, there are plenty of applicants who are looking for information about the 8a Certification and they have reasons for it. Every entrepreneur of small and disadvantaged companies’ want their business to grow and expand but they are sometimes they are overshadowed by strong and powerful competitors in the commercial market.
To allow them to reach and perform to their potential, the SBA 8A program gives the 8a Certification to these companies to give them a chance to perform in the federal market. This is the reason why the aspiring business owners are flocking to get on the minority program.

The applicant takes around 6 weeks to prepare and assemble all the information, credentials, other social and economic narratives. However, this time should be considered or included in the 8a certification application time. But there are cases where it takes more time for an applicant for preparing to get started.
Once the documents are submitted, SBA takes around 4 months for approval. This is not a stipulated but an estimated time. So, it is fair to consider that around 6 months is the median time to get the 8a certification including the time taken for the submission of details of the applicants and application.
A few unsuccessful applications are declined and they are again forced to be in square one position. Well, the time spent on the process is justified because it involves tedious preparation process of the application, submitting it, the checks and rechecks and above all approved by the SBA.

Don’t make these mistakes in the application for 8a certification

More than half of the applications are rejected by the SBA for 8a certification. The close study reveals that most of them have committed the similar errors and mistakes which lead to cancellation.
The applicants commit them unknowingly and we here give a quick run to all the common mistakes. First, we want you to watch the video below to understand the eligibility criteria for 8a certification.

The most common mistake is missing the criteria which are quite common.

• Not signing or missing to notarize the documents. It is a common mistake as there are plenty of documents to prepare for the application.
• Not showing a positive cash flow in the business in the documents. This turns off the proposal as the SBA does not find potential in the company or firm.
• Partnering with former employees or venturing into a new deal with them. This triggers that the applicant is not the sole owner of the company and can abuse the SBA program rights.
• Not answering truthfully to the question in the application form for 8a certification. For example, if the age of the applicant during an arrest in the past was 12 years and 6 months, then it requires filling the exact age in the documents.
• Not checking and rechecking the application and the documents after completing them. It is human to commit the error and to avoid it check the application for 8a certification before submitting it. So, be very careful in the entire process.

5 advantages of the SBA 8a certification

The 8a certification is a boon for small and disadvantaged companies in the US. The SBA minority program allows these companies to get the federal contracts with an edge over their competitors. These company owners who are citizens of the US are victims of racial prejudice or culture bias.
Watch the video for complete information on how to get on the 8a program.
The 8 (A) program help them to compete in the federal market which helps them to overcome the losses they incur in the commercial market.

Let’s sum the advantages of the 8a certification

1. The noncompetitive or sole source contracts are available for businesses that are on the 8a program. There are competitive set-asides federal contracts as well.
2. The big guys will not be the competitors to these companies so it reduces the potential competition to a great extent.
3. The large federal government prime contractor finds the small companies more lucrative to do business with them.
4. There are less than 10,000 companies doing business with the 8a certification in the federal market. However, the total value of set-asides from the government purchases amounts to a whopping sum of $4 million for services and $6.5 million for goods manufactured. So there are still opportunities and the entrepreneurs should not miss them.
5. There are many other facilities such as mentor protégé, workshops and other programs conducted by the SBA for the small and disadvantaged companies. The contracts for the 8a certified companies take less time to get awarded. It also requires less paperwork, time, and bureaucracy than other companies.

Also Read: Understanding the top 10 benefits of 8a certification

Everything about 8a certification that has helped small businesses

The 8a certification is the minority program by SBA for small and disadvantaged companies in the US. It has provided help to many small and disadvantaged companies with federal contracts from the government and its agencies.
These small companies often cry foul as they are nudged or muscled out by strong and powerful competitors in the US commercial market. These discriminating behaviors make them underperform and are victims of biased judgment. Racial and ethnic prejudices are also one of the reasons for such unruly activities.
The 8a certification helps them to gain their lost stature and position in the federal market. The fed4ral is the biggest buyer in the world and so buying from these companies helps them to stand tall. The economy of the country is also boosted with small companies contributing to the economy.

But, getting on the program is not easy. The Video above says about the eligibility criteria and so the applicant can figure out how difficult it is to get on the program. The eligibility is proved with documents along with the application which the applicants submit.
This is a tough job, as the SBA can reject or deny the application for 8a certification on any pretext. There are consulting firms which provide help to the applicant to get on the program. The services reduce the workload to a great extent and the applicant can take a back seat.
However, it is not mandatory to hire them and can be done on its own. Well, the rejection or denial means a huge waste of time and effort and so many hires these consulting firms to minimize the risk.

Assess your business for 8a certification

If your company is eligible for 8a certification mentioned in the above video, then start immediately with the process to enter the minority program. However, even with the criteria mentioned above, there are a few more things to get done before starting the process.
Evaluate your small business to see if it has the potential to win a government contract.
Even though if the criteria match you perfectly, there are a few things which every applicant should be sure before taking the plunge.
Find how the products and services are in demand in the federal market. If it is very limited or no demand then there is zero benefit in procuring the 8a certification.
Benefits of the minority program are plenty and you need to research more about the program.
The 8A program goal is to promote the 8a firms into a competitive business environment.
The SBA reviews the applicants business with the following documents and processes

• Annual reviews
• Systematic evaluations and
• Business planning

However, in addition to getting on 8a certification allow companies specialized business training, marketing aids, counseling and high-level executive development program by the resource partners and SBA. The SBA provides loans, bonding assistance and access to surplus properties and supplies of the government.
In all, it the SBA guides and aids the companies for growth and extension programs.

There is no geographical boundary for any organization to do business with the federal. Each and every state, country, and the city are welcomed and all they need is to prove the potential of their business.
So, instead of getting the wrong information by relying on the word of mouth, try to get an expert advice on the certification. To get an expert advice and update, hire consulting firms which serve their clients with relevant information, the process of application, and to prepare and submit the application to the SBA for minority program.