The 8(a) contracting method is the most powerful and
flexible contracting tool available to the government contracts manager. The
8(a) program, designed to assist small disadvantaged businesses, is a
procurement technique that allows the contracts manager sole discretion to
choose the specific contractor team for his tasks. The method also will save
substantial time, work, and cost during the procurement cycle. By adding this
contracting method to his other available means of procurement and using it when
appropriate, the contracts manager will be able to better achieve the goals and
objectives of his program.
This brief overview is designed to acquaint the government
contracts manager with the 8(a) method of contracting. It provides a brief
description of the 8(a) program and how it is administered by the small business
administration (SBA), tells how the contracts manager can use the method, and
explains the benefits of using the 8(a) contracting method.
I. The 8(a) Program
-
The 8(a) program is our country�s effort to promote
equal access for socially and economically disadvantaged companies to
participate in the mainstream of our nation�s economy. The term �8(a)� refers
to Section 8(a) of the Small Business Act of 1968 which permits the Small
Business Administration (SBA) to enter into contracts with federal procuring
agencies directly (as the prime contractor) for the supply of goods and
services, and then to subcontract the actual performance of the work to 8(a)
certified companies.
-
The SBA�s role in the 8(a) Program, as viewed by the
government contracts manager, is quite simple and straightforward.
The SBA:
-
Provides technical, management, and financial
assistance to the firm to aid in its general development, as well as to
perform on a specific government requirement, if necessary; and,
8(a) Bullets and Quotes
The 8(a) Program
A powerful and flexible tool to assist Native American
businesses and Tribal Enterprises improvement
-
Overview of The 8(a) Program
�
Created by the Small Business Act of 1968
�
In FY 1969, 28 contracts totaling $5 million
�
Amended by the Business Opportunity Development Reform Act of
1988, PL 100-656
�
In FY 1992, 4,600 contracting totaling $5.1 billion
NATIONAL: 6100 Certified 8(a)
firms
NATIVE AMERICAN: 547 Certified 8(a) firms
TRIBAL ENTERPRISE: 52 Certified 8(a) firms
ANC�s 8(a) 104 Certified 8(a)
firms
-
Purpose of The 8(a) Program
�
Assist minority-owned businesses to become viable and competitive
�
Provide the opportunity to perform federal contracts to apply
proven technical and managerial capabilities
�
Open the federal marketplace to minority-owned businesses
previously excluded
-
Advantages of The 8(a) Program
�
Reduces time and manpower compared to normal procurement cycle
�
May save overhead costs associated with large prime contracts
�
Allows technical and contracting personnel to select the qualified
8(a) firm
�
Allows full negotiation of price and technical requirements
�
Assists in meeting SDB goals
-
Federal Acquisition Regulations
�
Part 6 � Competition requirements require full and competition to
the greatest extent possible
�
Subpart 6.2 � Competition after exclusion of sources
o
Allows competition among eligible 8(a) contractors without
justification or determination and findings
�
Subpart 6.3 � Other than full and open competition
o
Allows seven expectations to full and open competition 6.302-5(b)
(4) allows sole program without a written justification or approval required for
other expected sole source procurement
-
Capabilities of The 8(a) Portfolio
Capabilities in
high-tech areas including computers, telecommunications, aerospace industry, and
defense
|