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  1. Fonteum
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  3. Glossary
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  5. 8(a) Certification
Federal Contracting · Fonteum Data GlossaryRegulatory

What is 8(a) certification?

8(a) certification is SBA admission to the nine-year 8(a) Business Development program for small businesses owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged U.S. citizens. It lets eligible firms compete for 8(a) set-aside and sole-source federal contracts, subject to annual SBA review and continuing eligibility rules.

Full name: SBA 8(a) Business Development Program Certification

Short explanation

8(a) certification is the U.S. Small Business Administration's determination that a small business is eligible to participate in the 8(a) Business Development program. The program is governed by 13 CFR Part 124 and supports eligible small disadvantaged businesses through business-development assistance and access to 8(a) set-aside and sole-source federal contracting opportunities during a maximum nine-year term.

Related use case: 8(a) certification guide

Last updated: 2026-07-11Reviewed by: Fonteum data standards desk — Source-provenance editorial review. Definitions checked against primary federal sources.

How it’s used

  • SBA applications: firms apply through MySBA Certifications after SAM.gov registration and UEI assignment.
  • Set-aside awards: federal agencies use 8(a) status when reserving eligible contracts for 8(a) program participants.
  • Eligibility checks: SBA annual reviews and SAM.gov exclusion status can affect whether a firm remains eligible.

Frequently asked questions

Who qualifies for 8(a) certification?
A firm must be a small business owned and controlled at least 51% by socially and economically disadvantaged U.S. citizens and meet SBA's program rules.
How long does 8(a) certification last?
8(a) participation lasts up to nine years: a four-year developmental stage followed by a five-year transitional stage.
Where do you apply for 8(a) certification?
Firms apply through MySBA Certifications after registering in SAM.gov and obtaining a UEI.

Related terms

  • 8(a) Program
  • UEI
  • SAM Exclusion
  • Suspension and Debarment
  • CAGE Code

Explore in Fonteum

How Fonteum sources, resolves, and publishes data tied to this term.

  • Use case8(a) certification guide
  • Use caseFederal set-aside certification directory
  • Use caseFederal contractor profiles

Authoritative sources

  • SBA: 8(a) Business Development program↗
  • MySBA Certifications↗
  • 13 CFR Part 124↗
← All glossary terms

What’s on file, by the numbers

Platform snapshot · 2026-07-15

13.4Mproviders & companiesProviders, organizations, owners, and facilities on file
26.2Msource-linked factsSource-linked field facts in the dated platform snapshot
—sources liveCrosswalk-resolved sources with a proved content transition in the preceding 45 days
111sources integratedActive registry rows; integration does not establish a load
13state Medicaid jurisdictionsDistinct states represented in the state-exclusions serving table

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Named medical review

Reviewed by Jennifer Montecillo, MD, medical reviewer. Non-practicing medical reviewer.

Read the full provenance and attestation methodology →

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Reviewed by Jennifer Montecillo, MD, medical reviewer. Non-practicing medical reviewer.

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Fonteum's provenance ledger contained 26.2M source-linked facts on July 12, 2026. All but 14 carried a source-file SHA-256; 0 linked deterministically to a signature. Inspect a supplied snapshot id at fonteum.com/verify · source-mark coverage and limitations.
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