Why Be Certified to the SBA SDB, the 8(a) DB, or the HUBZone?

Monday, March 13, 2006

SBA, http://www.sba.gov/training/certprograms.html

Better Small Business Management & Planning Practices

Certification in the SDB, the 8(a) DB, or the HUBZone Program
provides benefits by:

* Bringing more dollars to an eligible company through SDB
procurement mechanisms;
* Targeting competition to specific industries where there are
disparities; and
* Increasing economic activity in distressed communities.

SDB certified companies may benefit in one of two ways. First, an
SDB can qualify for a price evaluation adjustment when bidding as
a prime contractor.

Second, all prime contractors are encouraged to use certified SDBs
as subcontractors through mandated evaluation factors and optional
monetary incentives.

Small businesses are considered SDBs upon successful certification
into the SBA 8(a) BD Program. In addition to the benefits available
through the SDB Program, 8(a) firms enter into a nine-year
partnering relationship with the SBA.

A Business Opportunity Specialist provides coaching to the 8(a) firm
to help the company grow and expand its business.
HUBZone certified businesses can qualify for specific procurement
benefits. Businesses that use these benefits are also helping to
improve the economy of the distressed area.

Contract and Other Benefits:

* Competitive HUBZone contract benefits
* Sole-source HUBZone contract benefits
* Full and open competition contract benefits
* Other benefits

Hotspots
Competitive HUBZone contracts can be awarded if the contracting
officer has a reasonable expectation that at least two qualified
HUBZone small businesses will submit offers and that the contract
will be awarded at a fair market price.

Sole-source HUBZone contracts can be awarded if the contracting
officer does not have a reasonable expectation that two or more
qualified HUBZone small businesses will submit offers, determines
that the qualified HUBZone small business is responsible, and
determines that the contract will be awarded at a fair price.

Full and open competition contracts can be awarded with a price
evaluation preference. The offer of the HUBZone small business
must not be above 10 percent higher than the offer of the
non-HUBZone/non-small business.

(Other Benefits Hotspot)

1. Eligible HUBzone firms can qualify for higher SBA-guaranteed
surety bonds on construction and service contract bids.
2. Firms in Empowerment Zones and Enterprise Communities (EZ/EC)
can also benefit from employer tax credits, tax-free facility bonds,
and investment tax deductions.


To learn more, please visit the SBA Web site at http://www.sba.gov/
or http://www.sba.gov/training/certprograms.html

To print or download an application for 8(a) Business Development
(SBA Form 1010), click here

To request a copy of the application, please call the NBA at
800-456-0440 and we will be more than happy to mail a
copy to you.

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