Learn How to Get 8(a), HUBZone, EDWOSB, and WOSB Certified

Small business certifications are like professional certifications: they document a special capability or status that help you compete in the marketplace. These certifications can help you pursue business opportunities with the federal government and prime contractors who often have goals to ensure small businesses are integrated into their purchasing and procurement efforts. At an upcoming Federal Contracting Certifications workshop, participants will receive an overview and learn how to apply for the following certifications: * 8(a) Business Development (BD) Program: The U.S. Small Business Administration's 8(a) Business Development program, named for a section of the Small Business Act, is a business development program created to help small disadvantaged businesses compete in the American economy and access the federal procurement market. Applicant firms must be a small business in operation for at least two years; unconditionally owned and controlled by one or more socially and economically disadvantaged individuals who are of good character and citizens of the United States; and demonstrate a potential for success Participants in the 8(a) BD program can receive sole source contracts up to $4 million for goods and services and $6.5 million for manufacturing. 8(a) firms are also able to form joint ventures and teams to bid on larger prime contracts. * HUBZone & WOSB Procurement Programs: The Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone) program helps small businesses in urban and rural communities gain preferential access to federal contracting opportunities. The benefits for certified companies include competitive and sole source contracting and a 10% price evaluation preference in full and open competitions and subcontracting opportunities. The Woman-Owned Small Business (WOSB) and Economically Disadvantaged Woman Owned Small Business (EDWOSB) programs allow federal contracting officials to set aside certain contracts for eligible woman-owned and economically disadvantaged woman-owned businesses. There are two ways to participate in this workshop: 1. Thursday, July 16 at the Santa Ana District Office Training Room, 200 W. Santa Ana Blvd., Ste. #700, Santa Ana, CA 92701. Registration runs from 8 to 8:30 a.m. The 8(a) BD Program Certification Workshop runs from 8:30 to 10 a.m. and the HUBZone & WOSB Certifications workshop runs from 10:15 to 11:30 a.m. You can register for this workshop here. 2. Thursday, July 23 Webinar. Log-in information will be sent after successful registration. The 8(a) BD Program Certification Workshop runs from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. and the HUBZone & WOSB Certifications workshop runs from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. You can register for this webinar here.