Quick glance on 8A certification application process

For small business organizations, federal loans can be quite useful to develop the business. However, such loans are offered by the SBA only for business organizations which are owned and managed by minority, women or service disable veterans. The SBA 8A program is one of the largely available business agendas present in the market which focuses on developing the small organizations and promotes individual entrepreneurs. To avail such benefits of  SBA 8A, it is mandatory for you to successfully complete the application process. The 8A certification process as suggested by the SBA generally comprises of 3 basic parts including:

If you are an applicant, not less than 51% of the ownership of your business should be managed and controlled by a minority, women or service disable veterans. In addition to it, the owner of the majority of shares should have active involvement in the daily business operations. In this context, SBA utilizes a highly adept system that determines and finds out the individual majority shares owner of your business and makes sure that they adhere to the basic rules and regulations.

The second part is a very difficult step as it demands certain legal obligations to prove that you are economically and socially disadvantaged. According to the norms and standard set by the SBA, your business can qualify as economically and socially disadvantaged. If you are the majority share holder, make sure your net income should be more than USD 250000. This amount should exclude assets such as company ownership and personal home.

In the third step, the SBA will systematically check your business to determine whether it qualifies for small business requirements or not. If your business is on the list of banned businesses, then it will not pass the SBA 8a application process. The SBA accepts the standard for small business set by North American Industry Classification System which states that a business is small scaled if:

• It has around 500 employees form mining, manufacturing and other industrial procedures

• It has USD 7 million as an average annual receipt for a number of non-manufacturing businesses

• It has 100 employees for wholesale trade businesses

8A certification application process can turn out to be a complicated tricky task if not dealt with proficiency.  Getting your business organization 8A certified will not only add value to your company but will also help in bidding for federal contracts. Thus, 8A certification widens your prospects and offers you will a number of avenues to expand the growth of your business.

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4 major 8a application problems

8a Certification Application

Accreditation for small business organizations is one of the primary steps towards business growth and development. Official recognition offers an organization the right platform to amplify its business growth and proliferate proportionately. One of the basic and universally recognized certification proposed by Small Business Association-SBA is 8A certification. SBA 8A certification provides a small organization the legal identity required to approach federal and non-federal business contracts. Among all others, the 8A certification is one of the most significant programs for the SBA. However, application for 8A certification involves few issues prevalent in almost every case. Every potential 8A certification applicant is likely to encounter four common problems triggered by the SBA, which includes:

Application submitted and returned back

It is considered to be one of the common issues being faced by almost each and every applicant of 8A application. The officials of SBA often send back an application while reviewing for completeness. When returned back, an applicant often fells disappointed and confused trying to figure out the root of the cause of the rejection. EZ8A can act as ideal savior for small organizations, trying to obtain 8A certification in a hassle-free manner.

Competent and legally capable officials of EZ8A aim to assist such organizations in obtaining SBA 8A certification by reviewing the entire application and filling in the required gaps absolutely cost-free. However, the limits of EZ8A are restricted to eligibility issues of the applicant. If an applicant (small organization) is not qualified enough to fulfill the eligibility criteria required for 8A certification, EZ8A cannot offer any aid in such regard. EZ8A can either fill up the last sent application by the applicant or can execute on a piece meal basis.

Question arising after reviewing application

Often it has been witnessed that SBA comes up with multiple questions while reviewing the application of a potential small business owner. In order to deal with such questions, EZ8A offers its necessary aid and services to all small organizations. EZ8A offers its service by analyzing the potential client with the questions asked by SBA in order to deduce whether all the questions asked should be answered precisely or withdrawing the application would be appropriate. Asking such questions to an 8A certificate applicant is quite traditional for SBA. The timeline for the entire process is 5-15 days.

Application Denied

Often due to a number of reasons, SBA often denies the application for 8A certification by a prospective client. Here EZ8A plays a significant role in approving the application and can help such clients by examining the letter of denial in order to analyze whether the formal request for 8A certification can be reconsidered or not.

Application Reconsideration Refused

In rare cases, the SBA often defines the application for reconsideration. In such cases, an OHA appeal is the only option left. An OHA court-Office of Hearings and Appeals is the only place where such denial can be questioned. EZ8A works in joint collaboration with a law firm and resolves such problems with finesse at the OHA level.

While filing for 8A certification, encountering the above mentioned problems is quite apparent. Hence, it is highly recommended to avail the services of EZ8A in order to obtain the certification in a trouble-free manner and deal with the queries of SBA conveniently.

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8A certification and its essence in SBA

SBA 8a Certification

Do you own a small business enterprise? Are you willing to exemplify your organization with the assistance of legal boundaries? Then, obtaining an 8A certification from the SBA (Small Business Association) is mandatory for you to explore and diversify your business extensively.

EZ8A is a renowned and widely acclaimed consulting firm that offers SBA 8A certification to mid-sized and small enterprises.  With a poignant business background and vast professional experience over the years, the senior partners of the organization assist the small companies to acquire 8A certification in the most convenient way possible. EZ8A aims to make the approach of small organizations to obtain 8A certification much easy by resolving all the major factors of government association. This is mainly achieved by offering excellent service to the mid-sized organizations at the most affordable price available in the market. Incorporated in 1988 by its founder-Mark Ryan, EZ8A specializes in helping the small business enterprises from obtaining the SBA loans to acquiring the 8A certification. Consulting agreements at hourly basis and multiple participation services are the few activities done by EZ8A.

Pre-requisites of 8A certification

8A certification is generally reserved for such business organizations whose 51 percent majority shares are administered by individuals belonging to backward economic and social communities. Before granting the SBA 8A certification, a business is required to be monitored under its present ownership for not less than two years. SBA generally waives this tenure of two years only for such corporations that are operated by potential leaders who can display excellent expertise in their selected sectors of business and can execute lucratively all kinds of governmental and private contracts. Such individuals are required to demonstrate their acute business acumen by solid capitalization in order to acquire the 8A accreditation.

Benefits offered by EZ8A

EZ8A states some of the key points, which define the significance of SBA 8A certification and adds to its credentials. Once 8A certification is obtained, an organization gains access to federal contracts worth billions of dollars, designed exclusively for firms having 8A certification. Some of the primary reasons why one should avail for the services offered by EZ8A include:

• EZ8A sends the list of all the items and enclosures required for certification.

• It inspects and examines each item submitted by a small business organization, in order to avoid any possible complication.

• EZ8A is equipped with team of highly skilled professionals who help the small organizations in every possible way to acquire the 8A certification.

• Constant communication and being in touch with the 8 A certification applicants builds trust and confidence among the small business owners.

EZ8A spends adequate time with each 8A certification applicant and inspects it thoroughly. If you wish to succeed your small organization and takeit to the next level giving it an extra edge, 8A certification is first thing you should think of. Dealing in federal contracts and becoming proficient in it will not only add as an added advantage for your business but will also secure your market position.

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SBA Minor Owned Certification To Take Your Business Higher

SBA 8a Certification

If you are looking for finding newer and wider business opportunities, then going after federal contracts would be a good option. If you are looking for newer marketing avenues, then taking advantage of these federal certificate programs can open a wide area of business opportunities. This certification program is offered to small business owners. If you are a woman, specially abled person or a minority, then you can take advantage of minority owned certification that is also known as 8a program.

There are 2 major certification programs that are administered by the SBA (Small Business Administration) – Federal HUB zone and SBA 8a certification. Some of the features of these are as follows:

Federal HUB zone: The main objective of this program is to help the small business owners market their products to larger contractors from both government and private corporations. The main objective of this program is to render encouragement to the small business owners by increased employment opportunities in a local niche and developing the general economy of the nation. To get eligible for this certification, the requirements are –

o The business should meet the criteria of ‘small business’ standards.

o The business should be controlled and owned by the US citizens only.

o The main office of the business needs to be located in a federal HUB zone.

o The employees of the organization comprising at least 35% should live in the specified HUB zone for a minimum number of 180 days.

SBA 8a Program: The main objective of this program is to render support to the minority, disabled, and women business owners. With the help of this 8a program minority certification the business owners can reach out to large government and private corporations contractors along with the federal procurement agencies. As per the standards specified in this program, this certification is rendered to registered companies, who also render advice to the business.  The mandatory eligibility requirements for this program are as follows:

o Minimum 51% of the shareholders need to US residents and members of designated disabled veteran, minority group or woman.

o The candidates need to submit proof of their demonstration of economical and social disadvantage through professional and personal experiences.

o The shareholders should not have more than $250,000 in terms of personal assets. However, business assets and personal residence will not be included in this.

o The applicant needs to be in business for at least past 2 years.

o The applicant needs to submit proof of his / her abilities to grow and build a business.

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Basic Facts about 8a Certification

8a Certification

If you have started a small business and wondering where to and how to qualify for a WOSB or EDWOSB program, then the first thing you would need is an 8a certification from the SBA. However, you need to meet some requirements to get eligible for this certification.

To get qualified for 8a certification, you need to have a basic knowledge on it. WOSB or woman owned small business is a Federal program, which offers equal access to women and economically disadvantaged women, owning small businesses for contracting opportunities in the Federal. Through this program, contracting officers can set aside some specific federal contracts and offer them to EDWOSB or WOSB, as per the 300 NAICS codes, mentioned in the federal. Some of the eligibility factors for 8a application approval are as follows:

  • The firm needs to be at least 51% owned by women, who are in unconditional control over administration.

  • All the governing body members (women) need to be the US citizen.

  • Apart from the women, no man should have any control on the firm’s administration.

  • Women, in charge of administration should have adequate managerial experience and expertise.

  • The owners of the firm need to manage full time.

The above-mentioned factors are mandatory for SBA 8a certification for both EDWOSB and WOSB programs. For EDWOSB program, you need to  have some additional requirements, which are:

  • The business should have a net worth of not more than $750,000.

  • The gross income of an individual need to be not more than $350,000 a year for the last 3 consecutive years.

The benefit of 8a certification is that it is a significant marketing tool for economically and socially disadvantaged women, having small business. With this certification, they get access to the federal government contracts. However, in the initial stage, contracting under this 8a program may seem a little hard, because the competition is open and contracts are gained through a procurement of sealed bid. But, in the long run it proves beneficial for both the 8a contractor and the government. To get your 8a application approved by the SBA, you can take help of a professional expert and do away with the application hassles. Every money spent toward the professional consultancy would  worth once you get the certificate.

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SBA 8a Consultant Increases The Approval Chances of Your Application!

8a Certification

If you have started a business then you need SBA 8a approval to manage and control the daily operations of your company. To get the SBA approval, it is better to take help of a reliable 8a consultant and increase the chance of approval.

Does taking help of a consultant mean getting a guaranteed SBA approval on your application?

The answer is a definite NO.  If any consultant claims that he can give you guarantee of having your 8a application approved by the SBA, then you better try looking for another consultancy. Apart from the SBA, nobody can guarantee the approval. Beware of the desperate consultancies who promise money back guarantee, in case of rejection of the application. A good consultant would ensure that your 8a application meets all the necessary requirements for getting SBA approval. It can only assure that your application will get a fair review. A good consultant is aware of SBA requirements for 8a certification and sees that there are no irregularities in your application.

How to select a reliable SBA 8a consultant?

When you are looking for a good and reliable 8a consultant, consider the following tips and make your choice:

• Check with BBB: Whenever you come across a consultancy company, the most authentic way to check its credibility is through BBB or Better Business Bureau. If the company is listed in BBB website and has at least a “B” grading, you can say that it is quite reliable. Check out the various customers’ reviews and grievances and see how the company has handled such issues. If the issues have been resolved by the company, you can go ahead with it.

• Check the website: Once you have short listed the consultancy companies from the BBB, you can check out the homepage of each. If the company is reliable enough, it will have a physical address on the website. It will also state its affiliates (if there is any) and state about the principals clearly.

• Check references: The consultancy companies display the list of customers who have acquired certifications with their help. You can directly make a call to these people and check about the company, regarding their service, originally quoted price, duration to get the application completed, process used by the consultancy to manage and collect data submitted by the clients, and so on.

Once you are satisfied with the chosen 8a consultant, you can call them up and speak about your potential problem. If you feel the chosen one is cent percent trustworthy then provide them with the necessary documents and move ahead to get the SBA 8a certification.

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