A study was conducted in 2024 by our team, results showed that an 8(a) firm with a GSA Schedule gets about $1 Million per year in federal sales from the GSA Schedule. But when taking a closer look we found that the collective overall marketing value of 8(a) firms with GSA Schedules made between two and three times the overall sales of 8(a) firms in the same industry without a schedule. This is for the most part likely because procurement officers do their market research on GSA Advantage and GSA eLibrary rather than on Sam.gov, so these firms are gaining opportunities non schedule holders do not get.

AI Can Love Your 8(a)

Fast forward to 2026 and the AI era for Government Procurement is now fast upon us without apology. An important thing to realize about AI is that if it was capable of love, of which all signs point to that fact that it cannot at this point in time, but if it could it would love two things:

1.    Data Density;

2.    Structured Data.

What does this mean for current and future 8(a) Certification holders?

I have created the following table to illustrate how only a GSA Schedule in combination gives you the ability to pad your resume. The result is AI unwittingly moving your company to the top. (Note: It is true that AI would show this same love to an 8(a) firm positioned on large GWACs like OASIS+, Polaris, and 8(a) STARS III, which offer a similar algorithmic benefit).

If the advantage for an 8(a) firm + GSA Schedule was 2.5x or more for an 8(a) at this point in time…this working competitive advantage could make its’ way into the 3x-4x range in the not too distant future. If you want to make the most of your 9 years in the 8(a) BD Program, obtaining a GSA Schedule so you have both the structure and density of data, allowing AI to make decisions for your small business on the front and back end is the move.

Are you ready to stack your own deck? If you would like assistance determining if your firm qualifies for either a GSA Schedule or an 8(a) Certification, and if either/or would exacerbate your future business development potential, I always recommend contacting an industry expert such as ez8a or Advance GSA. Give them a call today, they do not charge for an initial consultation.