SBA 8a Certification: Wondering Where To Begin?

Are you wondering where do you begin? You do not have to pay someone else thousands of dollars to prepare your SBA 8(a) application or even determine if you are eligible. We recommend that you review these free online resources to determine if the SBA 8a program is right for your business.

SBA 8(a) Overview - Get to know the basics about the SBA 8(a) program. We recommend that you go to the SBA website and view their online course to learn about the SBA 8(a) program.

Is your business eligible for SBA 8a status? Go to the SBA website, do a search for SBA 8a, view the online video and take the short assessment to get immediate feedback.

Here are tips to help you successfully apply for and receive SBA Certification on your own. FYI, The government does not charge you to apply for this program. So what's keeping you from starting today?

Let me repeat, you don't have to pay an "expert" to fill out this basic government application form. When I started this process, I was somewhat intimidated by the SBA website. However, being a small business owner I did not have a lot of cash on-hand to pay someone else to fill out a form for me.

And just think about this other aspect, you will be submitting your most personal information in this process. I can only imagine that companies you pay to submit this form for you may be hiring low-wage people who are not bonded or even are outsourced in a third world country to fill out your form.

Would you open your tax records or financial records open to complete strangers? I won't. Save your dollars, save your privacy, complete your application on your own, do it yourself!

Is there pain in the process? YES. This form will delve into the most personal aspects of your business: business references, income tax returns, personal credibility and finances. So be prepared for the pain! But keep focused on the goal you have set for your company.

So have you decided to go for the SBA 8(a) status? Before you can start to fill out your SBA 8(a) application: Are you registered with these databases in this order? Before you start filling out the SBA 8(a) application, you must be registered in here:

1. Employer Identification Number (EIN) - The EIN is a permanent tax number and can be used immediately for many business needs, including: opening a bank account; applying for business licenses and filing a tax return by mail.

2. Business Registration - DUNS Number - Dun & Bradstreet (D&B) provides a unique nine digit
identification number, for each physical location of your business. The D-U-N-S Number assignment is FREE and is a requirement to register with the US Federal government for contracts or grants. It can be created within 1 business day. Note: After you register with Dun & Bradstreet they will start calling or emailing you to signup for additional services. It is NOT necessary to sign-up for these services. It will NOT affect your ability to get government contracts.

3. Central Contractor Registration (CCR) - To do business with the Federal government and to be certified under the 8(a) Program or as an SDB, you must register in the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) database. CCR is a government-wide single point of vendor registration. CCR is a key aspect of streamlining and integrating electronic commerce into the Federal procurement process.

Note: If you are a new registrant to CCR and/or updating your profile, expect a 24 to 72 hour waiting period before you can access to the SBA 8(a) application.

4. General Log-in System (GLS) - SBA supports a single log-in point for all services called the General Log-in System. It will take about three days for your login information to be available. Recommendation: While you are waiting for the registrations to become active, go ahead and start writing your narrative.

Late this fall, the entire application process changed significantly. Be sure you are up-to-date on the latest requirements.

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