Give Me 5: Transitioning Out of 8a � Introduction

The Small Business Administration (SBA) created the 8(a) certification program to help disadvantaged small businesses compete with their thriving counterparts in the government contracting arena. According to the 2013 SBA Procurement Scorecard, 6.70% of small, disadvantaged businesses received contracts they applied for. The program entails two phases over the course of nine years including a developmental and transition stage. However, an alarming number of businesses fail within two years after leaving the benefits and protections of the program.

On February 12, the Give Me 5 program is hosting a free webinar, which will offer tips and best practices on how small businesses can make the transition from an 8(a) business to a self-standing business in the federal marketplace. The webinar will be instructed by Barbara English, President of English Solutions.

The Give Me 5 program was created by American Express OPEN and Women Impacting Public Policy in 2008 to help women business owners get a leg up on selling to the world’s largest customer:  the U.S. government.