XL EagleSBA certifications (Small Business Administration certification programs)
SBA certifications stands for Small Business Administration certification programs. SBA runs several certification programs that open up set-aside and sole-source contracts to specific kinds of small businesses. The main ones are 8(a) Business Development, HUBZone, Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB and EDWOSB), and Veteran Small Business Certification (VetCert, covering VOSB and SDVOSB).
You apply through SBA's MySBA Certifications portal, and SBA does not charge a fee. Each program has its own ownership, control and eligibility rules, and each requires periodic recertification or annual attestation.
Why it matters to a small contractor
A certification can shrink your competition from hundreds of firms to a few. It takes paperwork, so pick the one you clearly qualify for and that matches what your target agencies buy.
Example
A veteran who owns a painting company gets SBA VetCert approval. He now sees SDVOSB set-aside painting jobs on SAM.gov that only a small number of firms in his area can bid on.
SBA certifications: common questions
Do I have to pay someone to get certified?
No. SBA certifications are free. Some consultants charge to help, but you can apply yourself, and SBA resource partners like SBDCs and APEX Accelerators offer free help.
Can I hold more than one certification?
Yes. A woman-owned business located in a HUBZone, for example, could hold both if it meets both sets of rules.
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