Federal 8(a) Business Development Contracts (NC)
What is the 8(a) Business Development set-aside?
The 8(a) Business Development Program is SBA's flagship small-disadvantaged-business program — a nine-year structured graduation track for firms owned by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals (presumed eligible: Black, Hispanic, Native American, Asian Pacific, Subcontinent Asian Americans; others must demonstrate disadvantage). Eligibility requires 51%+ ownership and control by disadvantaged individuals, personal net worth under $850K (excluding primary residence and business equity), and adjusted gross income under $400K averaged over three years. The program is split between developmental (years 1-4, business plan + mentorship focus) and transitional (years 5-9, prepares firm for graduation). 8(a) firms can receive sole-source contracts up to $7.5M ($25M+ for tribal / ANC firms) and 8(a)-set-aside competed contracts of any size.
Certification path: SBA certify.SBA.gov — multi-month application requiring full personal financial disclosures, business plan, ownership/control proof, and disadvantage narrative (for non-presumed-eligible groups). One-time 9-year participation.
Top Awardees in this Set-Aside
| Vendor | Awards | Total Value |
|---|---|---|
| Dawson MCG, LLC 900 FORT STREET MALL STE 1850 Honolulu HI 96813 USA | 15 | $21.9B |
| GEMINI TECH SERVICES LLC CAGE 4KDP9 | 3 | $61.8M |
| T&M Service Group, LLC CAGE 9WJE7 | 2 | $22.6M |
| LGX-RBS, LLC CAGE 9VEN0 | 2 | $16.7M |
| ALEUT CONSTRUCTION LLC CAGE 7Q071 | 2 | $41.6M |
| STG PACIFIC, LLC CAGE 7JMN7 | 2 | $552.8M |
| ARDMORE CONSULTING GROUP, INC CAGE 67GJ5 | 2 | $13.6M |
| ZIMMETRY ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT, CORP CAGE 3GXC4 | 2 | $8.0M |
| STREET LEGAL INDUSTRIES LLC CAGE 1QEL4 | 2 | $17.5M |
| AFS-IEI JV, LLC CAGE 15U38 | 2 | $8.0M |
| Vet Con Souza CAGE 9YLC5 | 1 | $525.0M |
| NEMEAN TRIDEUM JOINT VENTURE II, LLC CAGE 9W9C3 | 1 | $58.9M |
| TROY SIERRA JV LLC CAGE 9U0Q8 | 1 | $220.5M |
| Free State Associates LLC CAGE 9QE41 | 1 | $3.2M |
| EAGLE GOVERNMENT SOLUTIONS, LLC CAGE 9P0C9 | 1 | $718K |
| VANAR EASTERN JV1, LLC CAGE 9L3T7 | 1 | $4.5M |
| EMERALD ISLE FEDERAL SERVICES, LLC CAGE 9HS75 | 1 | $6.7M |
| Phoenix Prodigy Enterprise LLC CAGE 9GDG8 | 1 | $714K |
| DTESS JV LLC CAGE 9G8D8 | 1 | $65.9M |
| BRISTOL BUILDING CONSTRUCTORS LLC CAGE 99X08 | 1 | $19.5M |
Award Trends (2024–2026)
| Year | Awards | Total Obligated |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 60 | $3.5B |
| 2025 | 50 | $22.3B |
Top Buying Agencies
| Agency | Solicitations |
|---|---|
| DEPT OF DEFENSE | 1,073 |
| HOMELAND SECURITY, DEPARTMENT OF | 88 |
| GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION | 30 |
| TRANSPORTATION, DEPARTMENT OF | 24 |
| HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF | 23 |
| NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION | 20 |
| STATE, DEPARTMENT OF | 18 |
| HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, DEPARTMENT OF | 16 |
| TREASURY, DEPARTMENT OF THE | 14 |
| JUSTICE, DEPARTMENT OF | 13 |
Top NAICS Codes in this Set-Aside
| NAICS Code | Name | Opportunities |
|---|---|---|
| 236220 | Commercial and Institutional Building Construction | 239 |
| 561210 | Facilities Support Services | 183 |
| 561720 | Janitorial Services | 73 |
| 562910 | Remediation Services | 69 |
| 541611 | Administrative Management & General Management Consulting Services | 58 |
| 561730 | Landscaping Services | 43 |
| 541330 | Engineering Services | 43 |
| 541990 | All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 37 |
| 561612 | Security Guards and Patrol Services | 28 |
| 336411 | — | 28 |
Top States for 8(a) Business Development Contracts
| State | Opportunities |
|---|---|
| Maryland MD | 12 |
| Georgia GA | 8 |
| Florida FL | 8 |
| Washington, D.C. DC | 8 |
| North Carolina NC | 7 |
Active Opportunities
| Title | Agency | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Army Transition Assistance Program Services | DEPT OF DEFENSE | 2026-05-20T00:00:00+00:00 |
| HARB Grounds Maintenance Services | DEPT OF DEFENSE | 2026-05-14T00:00:00+00:00 |
| EV32 NIROP Fridley Site 5 O M | DEPT OF DEFENSE | 2026-05-21T00:00:00+00:00 |
| Memphis Landscaping and Grounds Maintenance Services | TREASURY, DEPARTMENT OF THE | 2026-05-11T00:00:00+00:00 |
| Demolition Services Dodd Hall, Facility 448 | DEPT OF DEFENSE | 2026-05-13T00:00:00+00:00 |
| Replacement Notification System | JUSTICE, DEPARTMENT OF | 2026-05-13T00:00:00+00:00 |
| Fort Bliss Solid Waste Management Refuse and Recycling Services | DEPT OF DEFENSE | 2026-05-18T00:00:00+00:00 |
| Custodial Services, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base | DEPT OF DEFENSE | 2026-05-15T00:00:00+00:00 |
| Replacement Notification System | JUSTICE, DEPARTMENT OF | 2026-05-12T18:30:00+00:00 |
| RACMAC - Limited Munitions Surface Clearance, Nomans Land Island, Chilmark, MA | DEPT OF DEFENSE | 2026-06-01T14:00:00-04:00 |
How to Win 8(a) Business Development Contracts
8(a) sole-source authority is the most powerful single preference in federal contracting — agencies can award up to $7.5M (or $4.5M for services / construction) directly to a specific 8(a) firm without competing the work. Building agency-specific past performance during years 1-4 unlocks directed sole-source flow in years 5-9. Tribal / Alaska Native Corporation 8(a) firms have NO ceiling on sole-source awards and dominate the multi-billion-dollar 8(a) STARS III GWAC and Alliant 2 Small Business pools. Mentor-Protégé Program (MPP) joint ventures with large primes are how most 8(a) firms break into $50M+ work without losing their small-business status.
Entry barriers: Personal net worth ceiling ($850K) and adjusted gross income ceiling ($400K) lock out many otherwise-qualified founders. 9-year program is one-and-done — no second 8(a) entry under current law. Annual reviews and graduation reviews are heavy compliance burdens.
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