Small Business Guide

The 8(a) Program

Section 8(a) of the Small Business Act ( 15 U.S.C. 637 (a) ) established a program that authorizes the Small Business Administration (SBA) to enter into contracts with other agencies and subcontract the work to eligible firms – known as "8(a) contractors."

SBA has delegated this authority to some Federal agencies through the execution of a Partnership Agreement (PA). Department of Defense has a PA in place.

The PA eliminated the tri-part contract, however the offering and acceptance is still required. Offering letters are written and processed by the OSBP. Provide the small business office with the applicable information needed to prepare the Offering Letter. Requirements with an anticipated price, including options, not exceeding $6.5M for manufacturing or $4 M for all others may be awarded sole source. Awards above these thresholds must be competed and they must be made at a fair and reasonable price.

NOTE: Requirements that have been accepted in the 8(a) program shall remain in the program unless SBA agrees to release the requirement from the program.

Please click to view the Small Business Partnership Agreement.