Become an 8(a) certified small business and gain access to federal and state funding to help you grow.

We guarantee to get your business certified as a socially and economically disadvantaged business under the 8(a) Business Development Program (BDP) with the federal government or your money back.

The federal government awarded $21.1 billion in set-aside contracts last year to businesses in the 8(a) BDP, so being recognized and certified is paramount.

Starting a business can be daunting and while there are a number of revenue channels and support resources available to 8(a) businesses it can be a challenge to identify exactly which opportunities are out there. Without the applicable certifications, a business will limit its ability to win certain bids and reduce its visibility in acquiring funds set aside specifically for 8(a) businesses.

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Become a certified socially and economically disadvantaged small business with Squared Compass as your trusted advisor and make the most of the funding and support available to you now.

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The path to becoming certified is easy with Squared Compass

Squared Compass is veteran founded and has assisted veteran-owned companies in obtaining the applicable certifications since 2021. Our mission is to expand this offering to other small disadvantaged businesses and help you navigate the available channels and be your trusted advisors on the journey to becoming a successful business owner.

These certifications will grant businesses access to millions of dollars of federal spending set aside exclusively for 8(a) certified entities

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5% of exclusive access to annual federal contracts

One-on-one business development assistance

Bidding preferences for open-bid contracts

Additional contracts and financing reserved in the private sector

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what is 8a certification
sba 8a certification
what is 8a certification

Increased revenue and growth potential

Increased visibility and marketability

what is 8a certification

Decreased competitive landscape

Mentorship through the SBA program

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what is 8a certification

Squared Compass helps identify for which certifications your business qualifies, informs you of other available opportunities, guides you through the process, and sets you up for growth.

Benefits

Squared Compass 8(a) certification service helps socially and economically disadvantaged companies gain access to the $21.1 billion worth of annual federal and state contracts, position themselves to win open bid contracts, increase revenue, growth and marketability all through a simple and hands off approach.

Free consultation and business assessment.

what is 8a certification

Bespoke certification plan developed to give the business owner the best opportunity for growth.

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A hands-off approach for the business owner. We handle the typically lengthy and cumbersome application process.

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Direct access to a trusted advisor both during the application process and in future business development and guidance.

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To work with Squared Compass, companies must meet the following qualifications:

Not previously participated in the 8(a) program

historically underutilized business

Have a personal net worth of $850K or less, adjusted gross income of $400K or less and assets totaling $6.5MIL or less

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What is 8a certification

Be at least 51% owned and controlled by U.S. citizens who are socially or economically disadvantaged

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Demonstrate good character and the potential for success such as having been in business for two years

Squared Compass is on a mission to help the socially and economically disadvantaged small business community realize their potential and position themselves for growth and success.

At Squared Compass we believe that the business community is one of the best and underutilized communities in the nation. With a team of practitioners in the start-up, business development, and federal and state contracting arenas Squared Compass has the tools and expertise to help 8(a) businesses achieve their goals.

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Squared Compass’ team members have helped businesses win millions of dollars on federal and state contracts and grants. Get in touch with our team today to start your journey to success.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • The SBA 8(a) certification is a designation granted by the U.S. Small Business Administration to small firms owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals. It opens the door to a structured nine-year business development program designed to help these firms compete in the federal marketplace. The program is split into a four-year developmental stage (focused on training, mentorship, and initial contracting opportunities) and a five-year transitional stage (where firms are expected to increase non-8(a) revenue and demonstrate independence). Certified businesses gain access to set-aside competitions, sole-source awards, mentor-protégé opportunities, and SBA support. The purpose of the program is not just to award contracts, but to strengthen the long-term competitiveness of these firms in both government and commercial markets.

  • To qualify, a business must first meet the SBA’s definition of a “small business” under the relevant NAICS code. It must be at least 51% unconditionally owned and controlled by U.S. citizens who are socially and economically disadvantaged. SBA defines social disadvantage as experiencing chronic discrimination or bias; since 2023, applicants must provide a personal narrative demonstrating this. Economically disadvantaged owners must fall under SBA’s thresholds for net worth, income, and assets (see next FAQ). The firm must also show good character (no debarments, fraud convictions, or unresolved tax issues) and potential for success, usually proven by at least two years in operation. SBA does allow waivers of the two-year rule in rare cases, such as when principals have substantial industry experience and sufficient capital.

  • In August 2023, a federal court ruling (Ultima Services Corp. v. USDA) ended SBA’s practice of presuming certain racial or ethnic groups were automatically socially disadvantaged. Today, all applicants must submit a written social disadvantage narrative. This narrative must include specific incidents of bias or discrimination tied to race, ethnicity, gender, or other factors, and show how those experiences negatively impacted the applicant’s business advancement. SBA has published guidance and sample outlines to help applicants structure these narratives. While this change added complexity, it preserved the program by ensuring it remains legally defensible. Without a strong, detailed narrative, even otherwise qualified businesses cannot be certified.

  • SBA uses three financial thresholds to define economic disadvantage:

    • Personal net worth must be $850,000 or less, excluding the value of the applicant’s primary residence, ownership interest in the applicant firm, and retirement accounts.

    • Average adjusted gross income (AGI) must not exceed $400,000 over the preceding three years.

    • Total assets must not exceed $6.5 million, again excluding retirement accounts.
      These thresholds are periodically adjusted for inflation. If an owner exceeds these caps, they are presumed not economically disadvantaged, though SBA may consider exceptional circumstances. The goal is to ensure participants truly face financial barriers that the program is designed to mitigate .

  • Businesses apply through the SBA’s MySBA Certifications portal (formerly certify.sba.gov). Before applying, the firm must be registered in SAM.gov, since eligibility is tied to federal procurement systems. The application requires detailed ownership and control documentation, tax returns, financial statements, operating agreements, business licenses, and the personal social disadvantage narrative. There is no cost to apply directly through SBA. However, many firms choose to work with consultants or attorneys to ensure accuracy, since errors or missing documents can lead to delays or denials. Consultant fees vary widely, but they are optional. SBA itself never charges for certification applications.

  • Businesses apply through the SBA’s MySBA Certifications portal (formerly certify.sba.gov). Before applying, the firm must be registered in SAM.gov, since eligibility is tied to federal procurement systems. The application requires detailed ownership and control documentation, tax returns, financial statements, operating agreements, business licenses, and the personal social disadvantage narrative. There is no cost to apply directly through SBA. However, many firms choose to work with consultants or attorneys to ensure accuracy, since errors or missing documents can lead to delays or denials. Consultant fees vary widely, but they are optional. SBA itself never charges for certification applications.

  • For small businesses that want to enter or grow within the federal marketplace, the 8(a) program can be transformative. The benefits go beyond contracts: agencies may directly award sole-source contracts to 8(a) firms (subject to thresholds), and the SBA provides structured guidance through a Business Opportunity Specialist. Participants also gain access to the SBA Mentor-Protégé Program, where they can partner with larger companies to bid on contracts and receive management/technical assistance. However, certification is not a guarantee of work. Firms still need a marketing strategy, pricing competitiveness, and a capture plan. Some businesses find the annual reporting requirements and compliance obligations demanding, but most agree the potential benefits far outweigh the challenges, especially when paired with a proactive business development approach.

  • The SBA 8(a) program and SBA 7(a) program serve very different purposes. The 8(a) Business Development Program is a certification and contracting assistance initiative. It helps disadvantaged small businesses compete for federal contracts by giving them access to set-asides, sole-source awards, and development tools. By contrast, the 7(a) Loan Program is SBA’s flagship lending program. It provides financial assistance by guaranteeing loans made by private lenders, helping small businesses secure funding for working capital, equipment, or expansion. Some businesses may use both—7(a) to finance operations and 8(a) to win contracts—but they are completely separate programs.

  • Federal buyers, primes, and teaming partners use the SBA Small Business Search (SBS) tool (formerly DSBS) to identify 8(a) certified firms. This searchable database allows users to filter by NAICS code, keywords, set-aside programs, and location. Once certified, your business profile automatically updates to reflect 8(a) status in SAM.gov and SBS. To maximize visibility, SBA encourages firms to maintain a complete, keyword-rich profile with accurate capability statements, NAICS codes, and contact details. Primes often use SBS to identify qualified subcontractors, so keeping your profile polished is as important as the certification itself .

  • The SBA states it typically makes a decision within 90 days of receiving a complete application. However, “complete” is the key word: if documents are missing or if SBA requests clarifications, the timeline can extend significantly. In practice, some firms report receiving certification in just over three months, while others have experienced delays of six months or more. Timeliness often comes down to preparation: firms that organize their tax returns, operating agreements, resumes, ownership documents, and social disadvantage narrative up front tend to move more smoothly. SBA’s workload at the time of submission also plays a role, as peak application seasons may slow review times.

  • No, the program remains active. While the Ultima decision temporarily halted new applications in 2023, SBA quickly issued interim guidance requiring all applicants (and some existing firms) to submit individual social disadvantage narratives. SBA has consistently stated that the program is still open for business and continues to accept and process applications under the revised framework. Agencies are also encouraged to continue offering 8(a) contracting opportunities. Far from being phased out, SBA has updated the program to ensure compliance with constitutional requirements while keeping the benefits available to eligible firms.

  • During the nine-year program, firms are required to complete annual reviews with their SBA Business Opportunity Specialist. These reviews cover financial performance, business plans, and compliance. In the final five years (the “transition stage”), SBA requires participants to show increasing percentages of revenue from non-8(a) sources—starting at 15% in year 5 and rising to 50% by year 9. This is designed to ensure the firm won’t collapse once the program ends. At the end of the nine years, or earlier if the firm grows too large or exceeds financial thresholds, the business “graduates.” Graduation means the company is no longer eligible for 8(a)-specific contracts, but it retains past performance, relationships, and eligibility for other small business programs (WOSB, HUBZone, SDVOSB) if applicable. Firms that successfully leverage 8(a) often continue to thrive long after graduation .