FEDERAL CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS MWBE CENTRAL INDIANA RESOURCE FAIR INDIANAPOLIS, IN 17 JULY 2012 Presented by : Lynda Parrett, CMR Kathy Ragland, PCR Government Contracting Area IV, U. S. Small Business Administration

FEDERAL PROGRAMS REQUIRING SBA CERTIFICATION  8(A) Business Development Program  Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) Federal Contract Program  HUBZone Empowerment Contracting Program

8(A) BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM  The 8(a) Program is designed to assist in helping socially and economically disadvantaged entrepreneurs to compete in the Federal contracting arena and to assist in taking advantage of greater subcontracting opportunities from large firms. Benefits of the 8(a) program include: 1. Participants can receive sole-source contracts, up to a ceiling of $4 million for goods and services and $6.5 million for manufacturing 2. Federal acquisition policies encourage Federal agencies to award a certain percentage of their contracts to small disadvantaged businesses.

8(A) BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM  Qualifications: 1. Must be small according to applicable size standards for small business concerns 2. Must be owned and controlled by socially disadvantaged individual(s) who unconditionally own at least 51% of the business 3. Must be majority-owned by an economically disadvantaged individual 4. Proof of 2 years operation in the firm’s primary industry 5. Display reasonable success potential, which includes the business having a positive net worth and display good character.

WOMEN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESS (WOSB) FEDERAL CONTRACT PROGRAM  The WOSB Federal Contract Program provides greater access to federal contracting opportunities for WOSBs and economically disadvantaged women-owned small businesses (EDWOSBs).  The Program allows contracting officers to set aside specific contracts for certified WOSBs and EDWOSBs and will help federal agencies achieve the existing statutory goal of five percent of federal contracting dollars being awarded to WOSBs.  Every firm that wishes to participate in WOSB program must meet the eligibility requirements and either self-certify or obtain third party certification.

WOMEN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESS (WOSB) FEDERAL CONTRACT PROGRAM  Eligibility Requirements 1. Eligible Industry Code; There are eighty-three 4 digit North American Industry Classification Systems (NAIC) codes that are eligible for Federal contracting under the WOSB Program. 2. To be eligible, a firm must be at least 51% owned and controlled by one or more women and primarily managed by one or more women. 3. The woman must be a U.S. citizen. 4. The firm must be “small” in its primary industry in accordance with SBA’s size standard for that industry. 5. In order for a WOSB to be deemed “economically disadvantaged “, its owners must demonstrate economic disadvantage in accordance with the requirements set forth in the final rule.

HUBZONE EMPOWERMENT CONTRACTING PROGRAM  The HUBZone Empowerment Contracting program provides federal and prime contracting opportunities for qualified small businesses located in distressed areas.  HUBZone stands for “historically underutilized business zone”.  Fostering the growth of these contractors as viable businesses, for the long term, helps to empower communities, create jobs and attract private investment.  Benefits of the program include: 1. Competitive and sole source contracting opportunities % price evaluation preference in full and open competitions, as well Subcontracting opportunities. 3. The Federal government has a goal of awarding 3% of all dollars for federal prime contracts to HUBZone certified small business concerns.

HUBZONE EMPOWERMENT CONTRACTING PROGRAM  Eligibility includes all of the following criteria: 1. The business must be a small business by SBA standards. 2. The business principle office must be located in a “historically underutilized business zone” or HUBZone. A principle office is the location where the greatest number of employees are performing work. 3. The business must be owned and controlled by one or more US citizens. 4. At least 35% of its employees must reside (primary residence) in a HUBZone. To determine if your business is in a HUBZone, contact your local SBA District Office.

HOW TO APPLY  8a Program – electronically at  Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) Federal Contract Program - electronically at  HUBZone Empowerment Contracting Program – electronically at Any additional information on SBA Programs visit