The number of 8(a) Certified firms has dropped dramatically over the past 13 years. In 2006, there were nearly 10,000 firms in the 8(a) BD Program. Over time, the numbers dropped due to attrition as an 8(a) firm is only permitted to be in the program for a nine-year period, and those firms were not replaced at a quick enough rate to maintain that level.

Some of that is due to the acceptance rate of 8(a) Applicant firms. According to the most recent Office of Inspector General Report:
“Though over 2,000 applicants apply each year, the SBA historically rejects most applications as incomplete and missing documentation. Typically, only 25% of the applicants or approximately 500-600 applicants per year are ultimately certified to participate in the 8(a) BD Program by the Associate Administrator of the Office of 8(a) Business Development.”

Over the past two years the number of 8(a) firms has reached a stable level of around 6,000 firms. The need for 8(a) vendors in the federal government has continued to grow, and in 2019 we saw another record for average 8(a) revenue. This gives firms that are entering the 8(a) BD Program today the opportunity to have impactful revenue growth through 8(a) program participation.

If you would like to find out more about the 8(a) Certification, and how it might help your small business obtain federal, state, & private sector contracts, I always recommend contacting an industry expert such as ez8a or Advance 8a. Either can walk you through the qualifications and the benefits to such an amazing business development facilitator. Neither charge for an initial consultation.