Administrative Agency:

Federal Agency: U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)

Program Goals:

8(a) Business Development Program's goals are: -To promote the business development of small business concerns owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals, so they can compete on an equal basis in the American economy -To promote their competitive viability in the marketplace by providing such available contract, financial, technical, and management assistance as may be necessary.

Resource Provided:

SBA monitors all federal government contracts to assure that a percentage of contract work goes to small businesses designated as 8(a) businesses. SBA also provides business management services to assist these 8(a) business concerns in their development.

Eligibility:

A business must qualify as a small business concern under SBA's size standards (13 CFR 121). A qualifying individual(s) must be the majority owner of the business and must be involved in the day-to-day management of the business. Additionally, small business concerns owned by Indian tribes and Alaska Native corporations may be eligible. A business must be approved for program participation prior to receipt of an 8(a) contract.

Alaska Program Status:

The Anchorage SBA Office maintains a list of approved 8(a) businesses (construction, professional and nonprofessional services, and manufacturing). SBA receives contracts for services from other federal agencies and then subcontracts the performance of these services out to qualified 8(a) firms.

Comments:

This program experiences great demand. 8(a) contract opportunities are used as a resource in the development of the applicant's business but are not guaranteed. A related SBA program provides for business management services to 8(a) businesses. A separate SBA program monitors all federal contracts to ensure that a predetermined percentage is awarded to small businesses.

Program Contact:  (Primary Contact listed first.)

Karen Forsland, District Director
U.S. Small Business Administration
510 L St., Suite 310
Anchorage, AK 99501-1952
Phone: (907) 271-4861 (800) 755-7034
Fax: (907) 271-4545
e-mail: karen.forsland@sba.gov
Web site: http://www.sba.gov/ak