Halloran Sage helps small, disadvantaged businesses gain a competitive edge by becoming qualified under the U.S. Small Business Administration’s 8(a) Business Development Program. Through this program, small businesses with socially and economically disadvantaged owners may become eligible for preferences in government contracting and preferred access to mentoring and financing.
We help you determine whether your business fits the program’s qualifications. If it does, we assist you in preparing and submitting the 8(a) application in conformance with the federal statute and regulations. If your application is declined, we will represent you in requesting reconsideration or in appealing the decision to the SBA’s Office of Hearings and Appeals.
Once your business is qualified, we help you understand and navigate the federal regulatory framework that governs bidding, procurement and contracting for 8(a) businesses. In some circumstances, a bid or proposal may be challenged on the ground that the business does not qualify as small. We are experienced in handling both size protests and size appeals based on a business’ size.