An Analysis of How Eligibility Criteria Are Applied to Participation in the 8(a) Program

The Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) is authorized under Section 8(a) of the Small Business Act to help small businesses owned and controlled by socially or economically disadvantaged persons to achieve a competitive position in the marketplace. Under section 8(a), SBA enters into procurement contracts with other federal agencies and departments and subcontracts the work to disadvantaged small businesses.