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"https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/details?prodcode=R44844", "type": "CRS Report" }, { "source": "EveryCRSReport.com", "id": 624963, "date": "2020-05-11", "retrieved": "2020-05-19T13:42:59.845673", "title": "SBA\u2019s \u201c8(a) Program\u201d: Overview, History, and Current Issues", "summary": "The Minority Small Business and Capital Ownership Development Program\u2014commonly known as the \u201c8(a) Program\u201d\u2014provides participating small businesses with training, technical assistance, and contracting opportunities in the form of set-aside and sole-source awards. A set-aside award is a contract in which only certain contractors may compete, whereas a sole-source award is a contract awarded, or proposed for award, without competition. In FY2018, 8(a) firms were awarded $29.5 billion in federal contracts, including $9.2 billion in 8(a) set-aside awards and $8.6 billion in 8(a) sole-source awards. Other programs provide similar assistance to other types of small businesses (e.g., women-owned, HUBZone, and service-disabled veteran-owned). \n8(a) Program eligibility is generally limited to small businesses \u201cunconditionally owned and controlled by one or more socially and economically disadvantaged individuals who are of good character and citizens of and residing in the United States\u201d that demonstrate \u201cpotential for success.\u201d \nMembers of certain racial and ethnic groups are presumed to be socially disadvantaged, although individuals who do not belong to these groups may prove they are also socially disadvantaged. To be economically disadvantaged, an individual must have a net worth of less than $250,000 (excluding ownership in the 8(a) firm and equity in his or her primary residence) at the time of entry into the program. This amount increases to less than $750,000 for continuing eligibility. In determining whether an applicant has good character, the SBA takes into account any criminal conduct, violations of SBA regulations, or debarment or suspension from federal contracting. For a firm to demonstrate potential for success, it generally must have been in business in its primary industry classification for two years immediately prior to applying to the program. However, small businesses owned by Alaska Native Corporations, Community Development Corporations, Indian tribes, and Native Hawaiian Organizations are eligible to participate in the 8(a) Program under somewhat different terms. Each of these terms is further defined by the Small Business Act, Small Business Administration (SBA) regulations, and judicial and administrative decisions.\nThis report examines the 8(a) Program\u2019s historical development, key requirements, administrative structures and operations, and the SBA\u2019s oversight of 8(a) firms. It also discusses two SBA programs designed to support 8(a) firms, the 7(j) Management and Technical Assistance Program and the 8(a) Mentor-Prot\u00e9g\u00e9 Program, and provides various program statistics. It concludes with an analysis of the following current 8(a) Program issues:\nThe SBA\u2019s decision to address recent declines in the number of program participants by revising and streamlining the program\u2019s application process, an action which the SBA\u2019s Office of Inspector General (SBA OIG) reports \u201cmay erode core safeguards that prevented questionable firms from entering the 8(a) Program.\u201d\nReported variation in 8(a) Program service delivery. \nReported deficiencies in the oversight of 8(a) Program participant\u2019s continuing eligibility.\nDisagreements concerning the financial thresholds used to determine economic disadvantage, including the SBA\u2019s decision to exclude equity in a primary residence from the calculation of an individual\u2019s net worth. \nThe adequacy of the performance measures used to evaluate the program\u2019s effectiveness in meeting its statutory goals.", "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "REPORTS", "active": true, "formats": [ { "format": "HTML", "encoding": "utf-8", "url": "https://www.crs.gov/Reports/R44844", "sha1": "c93a170cb208dc8a49ef2d5c37039df4e7d718e1", "filename": "files/20200511_R44844_c93a170cb208dc8a49ef2d5c37039df4e7d718e1.html", "images": {} }, { "format": "PDF", "encoding": null, "url": "https://www.crs.gov/Reports/pdf/R44844", "sha1": "9f9d2f21b8eea122df464059aedda5d2892ce390", "filename": "files/20200511_R44844_9f9d2f21b8eea122df464059aedda5d2892ce390.pdf", "images": {} } ], "topics": [ { "source": "IBCList", "id": 4832, "name": "Small Business" } ] }, { "source": "EveryCRSReport.com", "id": 605275, "date": "2019-09-20", "retrieved": "2019-09-20T22:06:20.132143", "title": "SBA\u2019s \u201c8(a) Program\u201d: Overview, History, and Current Issues", "summary": "The Minority Small Business and Capital Ownership Development Program\u2014commonly known as the \u201c8(a) Program\u201d\u2014provides participating small businesses with training, technical assistance, and contracting opportunities in the form of set-aside and sole-source awards. A set-aside award is a contract in which only certain contractors may compete, whereas a sole-source award is a contract awarded, or proposed for award, without competition. In FY2018, 8(a) firms were awarded $29.5 billion in federal contracts, including $9.2 billion in 8(a) set-aside awards and $8.6 billion in 8(a) sole-source awards. Other programs provide similar assistance to other types of small businesses (e.g., women-owned, HUBZone, and service-disabled veteran-owned). \n8(a) Program eligibility is generally limited to small businesses \u201cunconditionally owned and controlled by one or more socially and economically disadvantaged individuals who are of good character and citizens of and residing in the United States\u201d that demonstrate \u201cpotential for success.\u201d \nMembers of certain racial and ethnic groups are presumed to be socially disadvantaged, although individuals who do not belong to these groups may prove they are also socially disadvantaged. To be economically disadvantaged, an individual must have a net worth of less than $250,000 (excluding ownership in the 8(a) firm and equity in his or her primary residence) at the time of entry into the program. This amount increases to $750,000 for continuing eligibility. In determining whether an applicant has good character, the SBA takes into account any criminal conduct, violations of SBA regulations, or debarment or suspension from federal contracting. For a firm to demonstrate potential for success, it generally must have been in business in its primary industry classification for two years immediately prior to applying to the program. However, small businesses owned by Alaska Native Corporations, Community Development Corporations, Indian tribes, and Native Hawaiian Organizations are eligible to participate in the 8(a) Program under somewhat different terms. Each of these terms is further defined by the Small Business Act, Small Business Administration (SBA) regulations, and judicial and administrative decisions.\nThis report examines the 8(a) Program\u2019s historical development, key requirements, administrative structures and operations, and the SBA\u2019s oversight of 8(a) firms. It also discusses two SBA programs designed to support 8(a) firms, the 7(j) Management and Technical Assistance Program and the 8(a) Mentor-Prot\u00e9g\u00e9 Program, and provides various program statistics. It concludes with an analysis of the following current 8(a) Program issues:\nThe SBA\u2019s decision to address recent declines in the number of program participants by revising and streamlining the program\u2019s application process, an action which the SBA\u2019s Office of Inspector General (SBA OIG) reports \u201cmay erode core safeguards that prevented questionable firms from entering the 8(a) Program.\u201d\nReported variation in 8(a) Program service delivery. \nReported deficiencies in the oversight of 8(a) Program participant\u2019s continuing eligibility.\nDisagreements concerning the financial thresholds used to determine economic disadvantage, including the SBA\u2019s decision to exclude equity in a primary residence from the calculation of an individual\u2019s net worth. \nThe adequacy of the performance measures used to evaluate the program\u2019s effectiveness in meeting its statutory goals.", "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "REPORTS", "active": true, "formats": [ { "format": "HTML", "encoding": "utf-8", "url": "https://www.crs.gov/Reports/R44844", "sha1": "9570fd42e1a8bfdbb39c6719030073c0563c1f4e", "filename": "files/20190920_R44844_9570fd42e1a8bfdbb39c6719030073c0563c1f4e.html", "images": {} }, { "format": "PDF", "encoding": null, "url": "https://www.crs.gov/Reports/pdf/R44844", "sha1": "b40bef807560fb9c8fc4b41d7172e030ec88f691", "filename": "files/20190920_R44844_b40bef807560fb9c8fc4b41d7172e030ec88f691.pdf", "images": {} } ], "topics": [ { "source": "IBCList", "id": 4832, "name": "Small Business" } ] }, { "source": "EveryCRSReport.com", "id": 596966, "date": "2019-04-17", "retrieved": "2019-05-03T14:19:51.115221", "title": "SBA\u2019s \u201c8(a) Program\u201d: Overview, History, and Current Issues", "summary": "The Minority Small Business and Capital Ownership Development Program\u2014commonly known as the \u201c8(a) Program\u201d\u2014provides participating small businesses with training, technical assistance, and contracting opportunities in the form of set-aside and sole-source awards. A set-aside award is a contract in which only certain contractors may compete, whereas a sole-source award is a contract awarded, or proposed for award, without competition. In FY2017, 3,421 8(a) firms were awarded more than $27.1 billion in federal contracts, including $8.0 billion in 8(a) set-aside awards and $8.4 billion in 8(a) sole-source awards. Other programs provide similar assistance to other types of small businesses (e.g., women-owned, HUBZone, and service-disabled veteran-owned).\n8(a) Program eligibility is generally limited to small businesses \u201cunconditionally owned and controlled by one or more socially and economically disadvantaged individuals who are of good character and citizens of and residing in the United States\u201d that demonstrate \u201cpotential for success.\u201d \nMembers of certain racial and ethnic groups are presumed to be socially disadvantaged, although individuals who do not belong to these groups may prove they are also socially disadvantaged. To be economically disadvantaged, an individual must have a net worth of less than $250,000 (excluding ownership in the 8(a) firm and equity in his or her primary residence) at the time of entry into the program. This amount increases to $750,000 for continuing eligibility. In determining whether an applicant has good character, the SBA takes into account any criminal conduct, violations of SBA regulations, or debarment or suspension from federal contracting. For a firm to demonstrate potential for success, it generally must have been in business in its primary industry classification for two years immediately prior to applying to the program. However, small businesses owned by Alaska Native Corporations, Community Development Corporations, Indian tribes, and Native Hawaiian Organizations are eligible to participate in the 8(a) Program under somewhat different terms. Each of these terms is further defined by the Small Business Act, Small Business Administration (SBA) regulations, and judicial and administrative decisions.\nThis report examines the 8(a) Program\u2019s historical development, key requirements, administrative structures and operations, and the SBA\u2019s oversight of 8(a) firms. It also discusses two SBA programs designed to support 8(a) firms, the 7(j) Management and Technical Assistance Program and the 8(a) Mentor-Prot\u00e9g\u00e9 Program, and provides various program statistics. It concludes with an analysis of the following current 8(a) Program issues:\nThe SBA\u2019s decision to address recent declines in the number of program participants by revising and streamlining the program\u2019s application process, an action which the SBA\u2019s Office of Inspector General (SBA OIG) reports \u201cmay erode core safeguards that prevented questionable firms from entering the 8(a) Program.\u201d\nReported variation in 8(a) Program service delivery. \nReported deficiencies in the oversight of 8(a) Program participant\u2019s continuing eligibility.\nDisagreements concerning the financial thresholds used to determine economic disadvantage, including the SBA\u2019s decision to exclude equity in a primary residence from the calculation of an individual\u2019s net worth. \nThe adequacy of the performance measures used to evaluate the program\u2019s effectiveness in meeting its statutory goals.", "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "REPORTS", "active": true, "formats": [ { "format": "HTML", "encoding": "utf-8", "url": "https://www.crs.gov/Reports/R44844", "sha1": "3369d262fb0648dfdc1dd581cfada03f75657b3e", "filename": "files/20190417_R44844_3369d262fb0648dfdc1dd581cfada03f75657b3e.html", "images": {} }, { "format": "PDF", "encoding": null, "url": "https://www.crs.gov/Reports/pdf/R44844", "sha1": "f6046b92c58360cb9b948db75438052a4b754a99", "filename": "files/20190417_R44844_f6046b92c58360cb9b948db75438052a4b754a99.pdf", "images": {} } ], "topics": [ { "source": "IBCList", "id": 4832, "name": "Small Business" } ] }, { "source": "EveryCRSReport.com", "id": 585099, "date": "2018-09-12", "retrieved": "2018-09-13T22:19:17.593552", "title": "SBA\u2019s \u201c8(a) Program\u201d: Overview, History, and Current Issues", "summary": "The Minority Small Business and Capital Ownership Development Program\u2014commonly known as the \u201c8(a) Program\u201d\u2014provides participating small businesses with training, technical assistance, and contracting opportunities in the form of set-aside and sole-source awards. A set-aside award is a contract in which only certain contractors may compete, whereas a sole-source award is a contract awarded, or proposed for award, without competition. In FY2017, 3,421 8(a) firms were awarded more than $27.1 billion in federal contracts, including $8.0 billion in 8(a) set-aside awards and $8.4 billion in 8(a) sole-source awards. Other programs provide similar assistance to other types of small businesses (e.g., women-owned, HUBZone, and service-disabled veteran-owned).\n8(a) Program eligibility is generally limited to small businesses \u201cunconditionally owned and controlled by one or more socially and economically disadvantaged individuals who are of good character and citizens of and residing in the United States\u201d that demonstrate \u201cpotential for success.\u201d \nMembers of certain racial and ethnic groups are presumed to be socially disadvantaged, although individuals who do not belong to these groups may prove they are also socially disadvantaged. To be economically disadvantaged, an individual must have a net worth of less than $250,000 (excluding ownership in the 8(a) firm and equity in his or her primary residence) at the time of entry into the program. This amount increases to $750,000 for continuing eligibility. In determining whether an applicant has good character, the SBA takes into account any criminal conduct, violations of SBA regulations, or debarment or suspension from federal contracting. For a firm to demonstrate potential for success, it generally must have been in business in its primary industry classification for two years immediately prior to applying to the program. However, small businesses owned by Alaska Native Corporations, Community Development Corporations, Indian tribes, and Native Hawaiian Organizations are eligible to participate in the 8(a) Program under somewhat different terms. Each of these terms is further defined by the Small Business Act, Small Business Administration (SBA) regulations, and judicial and administrative decisions.\nThis report examines the 8(a) Program\u2019s historical development, key requirements, administrative structures and operations, and the SBA\u2019s oversight of 8(a) firms. It also discusses two SBA programs designed to support 8(a) firms, the 7(j) Management and Technical Assistance Program and the 8(a) Mentor-Prot\u00e9g\u00e9 Program, and provides various program statistics. It concludes with an analysis of the following current 8(a) Program issues:\nThe SBA\u2019s decision to address recent declines in the number of program participants by revising and streamlining the program\u2019s application process, an action which the SBA\u2019s Office of Inspector General (SBA OIG) reports \u201cmay erode core safeguards that prevented questionable firms from entering the 8(a) Program.\u201d\nReported variation in 8(a) Program service delivery. \nReported deficiencies in the oversight of 8(a) Program participant\u2019s continuing eligibility.\nDisagreements concerning the financial thresholds used to determine economic disadvantage, including the SBA\u2019s decision to exclude equity in a primary residence from the calculation of an individual\u2019s net worth. \nThe adequacy of the performance measures used to evaluate the program\u2019s effectiveness in meeting its statutory goals.", "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "REPORTS", "active": true, "formats": [ { "format": "HTML", "encoding": "utf-8", "url": "http://www.crs.gov/Reports/R44844", "sha1": "4a6d15805b7d722a2e81cac870cac8a2583b2b73", "filename": "files/20180912_R44844_4a6d15805b7d722a2e81cac870cac8a2583b2b73.html", "images": {} }, { "format": "PDF", "encoding": null, "url": "http://www.crs.gov/Reports/pdf/R44844", "sha1": "338b9488a34791710bef30edb517fa7befef8dcc", "filename": "files/20180912_R44844_338b9488a34791710bef30edb517fa7befef8dcc.pdf", "images": {} } ], "topics": [ { "source": "IBCList", "id": 4832, "name": "Small Business" } ] }, { "source": "EveryCRSReport.com", "id": 579281, "date": "2018-03-16", "retrieved": "2018-05-10T11:04:14.916282", "title": "SBA\u2019s \u201c8(a) Program\u201d: Overview, History, and Current Issues", "summary": "The Minority Small Business and Capital Ownership Development Program\u2014commonly known as the \u201c8(a) Program\u201d\u2014provides participating small businesses with training, technical assistance, and contracting opportunities in the form of set-aside and sole-source awards. A set-aside award is a contract in which only certain contractors may compete, whereas a sole-source award is a contract awarded, or proposed for award, without competition. In FY2017, 3,421 8(a) firms were awarded more than $27.1 billion in federal contracts, including $8.0 billion in 8(a) set-aside awards and $8.4 billion in 8(a) sole-source awards. Other programs provide similar assistance to other types of small businesses (e.g., women-owned, HUBZone, and service-disabled veteran-owned).\n8(a) Program eligibility is generally limited to small businesses \u201cunconditionally owned and controlled by one or more socially and economically disadvantaged individuals who are of good character and citizens of and residing in the United States\u201d that demonstrate \u201cpotential for success.\u201d \nMembers of certain racial and ethnic groups are presumed to be socially disadvantaged, although individuals who do not belong to these groups may prove they are also socially disadvantaged. To be economically disadvantaged, an individual must have a net worth of less than $250,000 (excluding ownership in the 8(a) firm and equity in his or her primary residence) at the time of entry into the program. This amount increases to $750,000 for continuing eligibility. In determining whether an applicant has good character, the SBA takes into account any criminal conduct, violations of SBA regulations, or debarment or suspension from federal contracting. For a firm to demonstrate potential for success, it generally must have been in business in its primary industry classification for two years immediately prior to applying to the program. However, small businesses owned by Alaska Native Corporations, Community Development Corporations, Indian tribes, and Native Hawaiian Organizations are eligible to participate in the 8(a) Program under somewhat different terms. Each of these terms is further defined by the Small Business Act, Small Business Administration (SBA) regulations, and judicial and administrative decisions.\nThis report examines the 8(a) Program\u2019s historical development, key requirements, administrative structures and operations, and the SBA\u2019s oversight of 8(a) firms. It also discusses two SBA programs designed to support 8(a) firms, the 7(j) Management and Technical Assistance Program and the 8(a) Mentor-Prot\u00e9g\u00e9 Program, and provides various program statistics. It concludes with an analysis of the following current 8(a) Program issues:\nThe SBA\u2019s decision to address recent declines in the number of program participants by revising and streamlining the program\u2019s application process, an action which the SBA\u2019s Office of Inspector General (SBA OIG) reports \u201cmay erode core safeguards that prevented questionable firms from entering the 8(a) Program.\u201d\nReported variation in 8(a) Program service delivery. \nDisagreements concerning the financial thresholds used to determine economic disadvantage, including the SBA\u2019s decision to exclude equity in a primary residence from the calculation of an individual\u2019s net worth. \nThe adequacy of the performance measures used to evaluate the program\u2019s effectiveness in meeting its statutory goals.", "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "REPORTS", "active": true, "formats": [ { "format": "HTML", "encoding": "utf-8", "url": "http://www.crs.gov/Reports/R44844", "sha1": "0a86bb86aab94145d2e521cc86bd5f3050bc64cd", "filename": "files/20180316_R44844_0a86bb86aab94145d2e521cc86bd5f3050bc64cd.html", "images": {} }, { "format": "PDF", "encoding": null, "url": "http://www.crs.gov/Reports/pdf/R44844", "sha1": "cc6d2c877435d8039c65d3438b35883f7cf72738", "filename": "files/20180316_R44844_cc6d2c877435d8039c65d3438b35883f7cf72738.pdf", "images": {} } ], "topics": [ { "source": "IBCList", "id": 4832, "name": "Small Business" } ] }, { "source": "EveryCRSReport.com", "id": 462787, "date": "2017-05-10", "retrieved": "2017-08-22T14:50:40.687449", "title": "SBA\u2019s \u201c8(a) Program\u201d: Overview, History, and Current Issues", "summary": "The Minority Small Business and Capital Ownership Development Program\u2014commonly known as the \u201c8(a) Program\u201d\u2014provides participating small businesses with training, technical assistance, and contracting opportunities in the form of set-aside and sole-source awards. A set-aside award is a contract in which only certain contractors may compete, whereas a sole-source award is a contract awarded, or proposed for award, without competition. In FY2016, 8(a) firms were awarded more than $27 billion in federal contracts, including $8.5 billion in 8(a) set-aside awards and $8.7 billion in 8(a) sole-source awards. Other programs provide similar assistance to other types of small businesses (e.g., women-owned, HUBZone, and service-disabled veteran-owned).\n8(a) Program eligibility is generally limited to small businesses \u201cunconditionally owned and controlled by one or more socially and economically disadvantaged individuals who are of good character and citizens of and residing in the United States\u201d that demonstrate \u201cpotential for success.\u201d \nMembers of certain racial and ethnic groups are presumed to be socially disadvantaged, although individuals who do not belong to these groups may prove they are also socially disadvantaged. To be economically disadvantaged, an individual must have a net worth of less than $250,000 (excluding ownership in the 8(a) firm and equity in his or her primary residence) at the time of entry into the program. This amount increases to $750,000 for continuing eligibility. In determining whether an applicant has good character, the SBA takes into account any criminal conduct, violations of SBA regulations, or debarment or suspension from federal contracting. For a firm to demonstrate potential for success, it generally must have been in business in its primary industry classification for two years immediately prior to applying to the program. However, small businesses owned by Alaska Native Corporations, Community Development Corporations, Indian tribes, and Native Hawaiian Organizations are eligible to participate in the 8(a) Program under somewhat different terms. Each of these terms is further defined by the Small Business Act, Small Business Administration (SBA) regulations, and judicial and administrative decisions.\nThis report examines the 8(a) Program\u2019s historical development, key requirements, administrative structures and operations, and the SBA\u2019s oversight of 8(a) firms. It also discusses two SBA programs designed to support 8(a) firms, the 7(j) Management and Technical Assistance Program and the 8(a) Mentor-Prot\u00e9g\u00e9 Program, and provides various program statistics. It concludes with an analysis of the following current 8(a) Program issues:\nThe SBA\u2019s decision to address recent declines in the number of program participants by revising and streamlining the program\u2019s application process, an action which the SBA\u2019s Office of Inspector General (SBA OIG) reports \u201cmay erode core safeguards that prevented questionable firms from entering the 8(a) Program.\u201d\nReported variation in 8(a) Program service delivery. \nDisagreements concerning the financial thresholds used to determine economic disadvantage, including the SBA\u2019s decision to exclude equity in a primary residence from the calculation of an individual\u2019s net worth. \nThe adequacy of the performance measures used to evaluate the program\u2019s effectiveness in meeting its statutory goals.", "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "REPORTS", "active": true, "formats": [ { "format": "HTML", "encoding": "utf-8", "url": "http://www.crs.gov/Reports/R44844", "sha1": "f424911aaaff8f3426865690a9e7d2dfc1b7d77c", "filename": "files/20170510_R44844_f424911aaaff8f3426865690a9e7d2dfc1b7d77c.html", "images": {} }, { "format": "PDF", "encoding": null, "url": "http://www.crs.gov/Reports/pdf/R44844", "sha1": "613f8082ca1168881aa6feec0229e81cd9421ee6", "filename": "files/20170510_R44844_613f8082ca1168881aa6feec0229e81cd9421ee6.pdf", "images": {} } ], "topics": [ { "source": "IBCList", "id": 4832, "name": "Small Business" } ] } ], "topics": [ "American Law", "National Defense" ] }