If your business qualifies for an SBA certification, it can be a valuable tool for growing your government contracting opportunities. Certifications like 8(a), Women- Owned Small Business (WOSB), HUBZone, Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB) and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) are designed to help eligible business compete by increasing visibility and creating access to certain opportunities called set-asides. Keep in mind that SBA certifications are designed specifically for federal contracting opportunities. While they can be a powerful tool in the federal marketplace, they do not provide advantages for state, local, or private sector contracts.
Benefits of SBA Certifications
While each certification offers different advantages, some of the most common benefits include:
- Access to contracts that are set aside exclusively for certified small businesses
- Increased visibility with contracting officers and government buyers
- Greater opportunities to compete for sole-source and limited competition awards
- A competitive advantage when marketing your business to government agencies and prime contractors
That said, earning a certification is just the beginning. The businesses that see the greatest success are the ones that actively use their certification as part of a broader government contracting strategy.
Making the Most of Your Certification
Here are a few ways to maximize the benefits of your certification:
- Market your Business. Use your certification as a conversation starter when meeting with contracting officers, prime contractors, and procurement staff.
- Showcase Your Certification. Include your certification on your capability statement, website, marketing materials, and SAM.gov profile.
- Pursue Opportunities Consistently. Continue monitoring contracting opportunities and submitting competitive proposals. Your certification can help open doors, but it’s your preparation and persistence that help win contracts.
- Keep it current. Stay on top of renewals and required documentation so you don’t lose the benefits you’ve worked to earn.
An SBA certification can help your business stand out in a competitive marketplace but it’s most effective when paired with consistent marketing, relationship building, and a proactive approach to pursuing opportunities. When used strategically, your certification can become a powerful tool in growing your government contracting success.
Are you Eligible?
Eligibility requirements vary depending on the certification, but most programs consider factors such as business size ownership, control, and, in some cases, the owner’s personal or business circumstances. If you’re unsure whether your business qualifies, don’t guess. Reviewing the requirements before you apply can save time and help ensure you’re pursuing the certifications that best fit your business. Contact an APEX Accelerator team member to help you determine which certifications may be the right fit for you and guide you through the application process.
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The Wyoming SBDC Network is hosted by the University of Wyoming with state funds from the Wyoming Business Council. Funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. Full funding disclosures available at
wyomingsbdc.org/about
All opinions, conclusions, and/or recommendations expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA.
