Best 8a Certification & 8a Information Source is 8a Magazine

8a Magazine’s content is provided by the federal and state certification and contracting industry experts of ez8a, Advance GSA, Government Marketing, Advance 8a and Fedvital, as well as guest contributors that are at the top of their field. Aspiring 8a Articles are designed to focus on the advantages a firm can realize by pursuing the SBA’s 8a Certification. While our articles highlight different aspects of the certification process, further exploration of the subject matter or even issues that we have yet to discuss (or haven’t discussed in a while) may be at the top of your mind. Click ‘Ask An Expert’ to send a note directly to our resident Aspiring 8a Expert, Todd Luttenegger. From there, Todd can help answer any questions your firm may have concerning the 8a Certification process. Ask an Expert

Location Location Location, Not Any Longer Says the SBA

Just last week, U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) announced that the Small Business Administration (SBA) has formally implemented his long-sought fix to the “bona fide place of business” requirement. This “location restriction”.... View More

Aspiring 8a

by Jesse Dunbar
Thursday, August 6th 2026

Ensure the Accuracy of Your sam.gov Registration

Industry experts such as Fedvital specialize in assisting firms in securing federal contracts through their marketing services. One crucial step they advise clients to undertake periodically is a thorough double-check of their.... View More

Aspiring 8a

by Todd Luttenegger
Thursday, July 30th 2026

Not so Fast SBA, We Have Something to Say

A couple of members, including the ranking member, of the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee brought up serious objections to a rule proposed under the leadership of.... View More

Aspiring 8a

by Mark Ryan
Thursday, July 23rd 2026

SBA is Reopening the 8(a) Door – August is Your Prep Window

For nearly a year, many small business owners have been asking the same question: “Should I wait to apply for the SBA’s 8(a) Business Development Program?” Based on recent testimony before Congress.... View More

Aspiring 8a

by Mark Ryan
Thursday, July 16th 2026

Building Federal Contracting Success Through the 8(a) Certification

Obtaining an 8(a) Certification can be a game-changer for small businesses seeking to secure federal contracts. This exclusive program, designed to help disadvantaged businesses compete in the.... View More

Aspiring 8a

by Emily Hatchel
Thursday, July 9th 2026

The 8(a) Pool Just Got Drained – Here’s Your Opening

For almost a decade, the number of 8(a) firms sat between 5,500 and 6,000. Then came the SBA's 2025 compliance crackdown — and a year of virtually no replacements. Today the 8(a) pool sits.... View More

Aspiring 8a

by Jesse Dunbar
Thursday, July 2nd 2026

Hidden Gems: 8 Niche Industries Where 8(a) Firms are Thriving

When most people think about 8(a) businesses in the federal space, a few industries come to mind right away: IT, construction, and management consulting. And it's true—those three dominate.... View More

Aspiring 8a

by Mark Ryan
Thursday, June 25th 2026

Why do 8(a) Firms Load Up on NAICS Codes?

Most small businesses operating in the federal marketplace list just 3 to 5 NAICS codes—a tight cluster that reflects their core capabilities. But 8(a) firms? That’s a completely different story. The average 8(a) participant lists.... View More

Aspiring 8a

by Jesse Dunbar
Thursday, June 18th 2026

Moving the Goalposts for Social Disadvantage Requirements with 8(a) Firms

The SBA issued a proposed rule entitled “Reforms to Remove SBA’s 8(a) Program’s Rebuttable Presumption of Social Disadvantage for Individually Owned Firms Only; Reforms Do Not.... View More

Aspiring 8a

by Todd Luttenegger
Thursday, June 11th 2026

Drive Business Success with 8(a) Certification

The SBA 8(a) Business Development Program is designed to help small businesses, particularly those owned by disadvantaged individuals, access federal contracts and improve their business skills. The 8(a) BD Program provides.... View More

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