Doing Business with Federal Agencies: Small Business Administration (SBA)

The SBA, established in 1953, is one of the federal government agencies. They have an independent mission to aid, counsel, assist and protect the interests of small business concerns, preserve free competitive enterprise, and maintain and strengthen the nation’s overall economy. The SBA has several programs to assist minority and disadvantaged businesses to get an edge in the market. 

Of the many programs, the 8(a) Business Development program helps socially and economically disadvantaged small businesses grow by limiting competition for certain contracts to participating businesses, allowing them to become solid competitors in the federal marketplace. If you have never been interested in the 8(a) program, this is your time to get equipped. The information you will get is directly from that organization’s leader. You will be able to understand what the program is all about and the benefits of it, especially when you are eligible to apply for that program. 

Tommy Marks, our webinar moderator, is joined by Dr. Donna Peebles. Dr. Donna is the Associate administrator in the SBA’s Office of Business Development. The panelist discusses the SBA’s Government Contracting and Business Development (GCBD) Certification Programs and the SBA7(j) Management and Technical Assistance Program. This discussion was targeted toward our minority small business community. Dr. Donna Peebles shares important insights, tools, and training resources to arm our MBE community with what they need to know. Click here to download the handouts: https://bit.ly/3VcP4jJ.

Tune in!

Here’s What You’ll Get In This Episode

[00:01] Episode intro and what’s in for you with Dr. Donna Peebles from the SBA

[05:50] A big picture of what is happening at the federal marketplace

[06:41] Government contracting statistics for small businesses

[08:30] What the SBA is worried about with the rapid growth rate

[10:04] Executive actions and initiatives that are underway

[15:33] Which small business fits in the federal contracting space

[17:00] Stats of the SBA’s government contracting & business development certification program

[18:46] SBA’s readiness assessment checklist

[22:09] Effective steps to gain a competitive edge in government contracting

[24:24] An Overview of the 8(a) Business Development Program

[25:44] Eligibility criteria and benefits of the 8(a) Business Development Program

[29:30] Value proposition of the  8(a) program and where it may fit in your business plan

[30:22] How to join the 8(a) program

[34:30] A quick summary of what Dr. Donna Peebles has shared

[35:21] Recent SBA regulatory action

[40:23] Other great SBA’s Business Development Resources

[41:12] Answering questions from the audience

[55:57] Wrap up, final thoughts, and call to action

Notable Quotes

• Very few industrialized nations require their government to do business with small businesses and make them part of the nation’s growth trajectory. –Dr. Donna Peebles [07:02].
• If you are a new startup, government contracting might not be the right time for you now. But if you have been in business for several years and have a good portfolio of excellent past performances, government contracting is yours. – Dr. Donna Peebles [15:58].
• Over 60% of small businesses that left the SBA’s 8(a) Business Development Program three years ago are still in business today.- Dr. Donna Peebles [29:11].

Connect with Dr. Donna Peebles

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-donna-peebles-39123044