ML22109A221
| ML22109A221 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 04/07/2022 |
| From: | Marks T, Peebles D NRC/SBCR, US Dept of Commerce, Minority Business Development Agency, US Small Business Admin (SBA) |
| To: | |
| Patterson, Tira - 301-415-7808 | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML22109A219 | List: |
| References | |
| Download: ML22109A221 (21) | |
Text
Im 8(a) Certified, Now What?
1 Dr. Donna Peebles, Associate Administrator, Small Business Administration (SBA)
Tommy Marks, Director, Virginia MBDA Business Center, Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA)
2 Dr. Donna Peebles Associate Administrator Office of Business Development U.S. Small Business Administration
Dr. Donna Peebles Associate Administrator Office of Business Development April 7, 2022
Getting the Most Out of Your 8(a) Certification Qualify for set-aside or sole source contract awards - increasing prime and subcontracting opportunities Opportunity to build capacity and grow by establishing Joint Ventures and participating in the All Small Mentor-Protégé Program Access to training, management and technical assistance programs, guaranteed loans and bonding assistance; 8(a) Surplus Property 4
5 8(a) Certified Now What?
Connect with your SBA Business Opportunity Specialist Maintain your 8(a) Certification & ensure you fulfill your annual review requirements Focus on strengthening your Business Plan &
Capability Statement around Federal contracting Invest in SBAs 7(j) Training Build Capacity! Find a mentor and apply for SBAs Mentor Protégé Program or create a Joint Venture
Effective Steps to Gain a Competitive Edge in Government Contracting Learn about Federal Contracting Do you understand the basics of doing business in Federal marketplace?
Do you know your customer?
Prepare your Company Is your business ready? Do you have adequate cash flow?
Build your Team Different projects may require different capabilities; consider teaming, Mentor Protégé or Joint Venture Inventory your Readiness Are you capable of fulfilling the government contract? Do you have relative past performance?
Study market conditions Build strategies to win contracts 6
7 Leverage the Search Letter / Requirements Letter Tools WHAT?
In support of your Self-Marketing efforts Letter from SBA to contracting agency suggesting 8(a) sole source Note that you may not be the only 8(a) firm requesting a Search Letter/Requirement Letter for the same opportunity WHEN?
After you have identified a potential requirement through your self-marketing efforts Estimated contract value under $4.5M for Services or $7M for Manufacturing Solicitation/RFQ has not been posted on FBO/SAM.gov If Sources Sought on FBO/SAM.gov, then set-aside must not be identified HOW?
Include your capability statement Response is not required by the contracting agency Use in conjunction with other self-marketing efforts
Business Development Resources 7(j) Management and Technical Assistance Training 7(j) Management and Technical Assistance Program (sba.gov)
Welcome to Bidspeed (fedbidspeed.com)
Mentor Protégé Program SBA Mentor-Protégé program Email sbampp@sba.gov 8(a) Business Development Program 8(a) Business Development program (sba.gov)
Email 8aQuestions@sba.gov 8
SBA Contacts Business Opportunity Specialist (BOS)
Search for local SBA District Office SBA.gov/LocalAssistance Procurement Center Representatives (PCRs)
PCR Directory online SBA Answer Desk (general questions) answerdesk@sba.gov 8(a) Participants may email SBA at 8aQuestions@sba.gov 9
10 Tommy Marks Director Virginia MBDA Business Center, Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA)
11
Polling Questions 12
What I wish I knew about the 8(a) program to help leverage certification for business growth Amber Peebles, President of Athena Construction, 8(a), WOSB, SDVOSB, HUBZone certified small business.
13 Necole Parker, CEO of The ELOCEN Group, Graduated 8(a), 8(a) JV, WOSB small business Vinita Negi, CEO of Trigent Solutions, 8(a), WOSB, 8(a) STARS small business
What were the key decisions that lead you to apply and enter the 8(a) Business Development Program?
14
Did you have any Federal contracts prior to entering the program and what was the size and scope of those contracts?
15
What processes or structural changes did you make after entering the program?
16
How did your mindset change as a business owner as you progressed through the program?
17
What role has mentorship played in your journey through the program?
18
How and when did you begin preparing for exiting the program?
19
When is or was your graduation year from the 8(a) Program?
20
What advice would you give a firm that is currently in year 5 and hasnt received their first Federal contract?
21