Understanding, Obtaining and Leveraging the SBA’s 8(a) Certification

Format: Live webinar (on-demand recording available on January 15th)
Duration: Approx. 90 minutes
Instructors: Ian Patterson and  Haley Claxton, Koprince Law
NCMA Certifications: 1.5 CPEs
APTAC Certifications: 0.75 ATC
APTAC BOK: C.3 Representations and Certifications; C.17 Socio-EconomicPrograms (Core)

*Your registration includes access to the on-demand recording.

The SBA’s 8(a) Business Development Program may be the single most powerful socioeconomic preference program available to government contractors. Combining hands-on business development assistance with powerful opportunities to receive set-aside and sole-source contracts, the 8(a) Program is the government’s primary vehicle to boost the prospects of small, disadvantaged businesses.

In this session, government contract attorneys Ian Patterson and Haley Claxton will provide an overview of the nuts and bolts of the 8(a) Program eligibility and participation, including:

• 8(a) application and admission statistics- why 2020 may be a good year to apply
• Social eligibility criteria (contrary to common misconception, 8(a) program eligibility is not limited to minority-owned businesses)
• Economic eligibility criteria- net worth and income requirements
• The “two years in business” rule and other “potential for success” requirements
• Other eligibility criteria and common application mistakes
• What to expect in the application process
• Maintaining ongoing 8(a) eligibility – key considerations
• Is the 8(a) program right for me? Business considerations

If you’ve thought about applying to the 8(a) program, but aren’t sure whether to take the next steps, this course is for you.

Target Audience: Small business contractors interested in the SBA’s 8(a) Business Development Program

IAN PATTERSON is a Senior Associate Attorney with Koprince Law LLC. Ian’s practice focuses exclusively on federal procurement law. He helps clients understand and comply with the complex regulatory provisions unique to federal contracting, including the FAR, DFARS, SBA small business regulations, and others. Ian also assists clients by developing, reviewing, and negotiating joint venture agreements, mentor-protégé agreements, subcontracts, and other critical documents. On the litigation side, Ian has also played a key role in numerous GAO bid protests, SBA size and status protests, appeals before the SBA’s Office of Hearings and Appeals, protests before the FAA’s Office of Dispute Resolution for Acquisition, and matters before the Boards of Contract Appeals and U.S. Court of Federal Claims.

Ian covers government contracting legal topics regularly on SmallGovCon and has been published in The Procurement Lawyer and Westlaw Journal Government Contract. You can contact Ian by telephone at (785) 200-8919 or by email at ipatterson@koprince.com.

HALEY CLAXTON is an associate attorney with Koprince Law LLC. Haley’s practice covers a wide array of legal issues pertinent to federal government contracts law. To this end, Haley relies on prior experience working in and with federal and state government agencies and entities to help clients move through administrative processes. Haley also uses her skills in contract drafting and legal research and writing to provide clients with thorough and thoughtful feedback and assistance. 

Before becoming a part of Koprince Law, Haley attended the University of Kansas School of Law, where she was an active participant on the school’s National Transactional LawMeet Team and Executive Note and Comment Editor of the Kansas Law Review. During Law School, Haley also worked in Washington D.C. as a law clerk to the Library of Congress Office of the General Counsel. 

Contact Info: Haley may be contacted by telephone at (785) 200-8919 or by email at hclaxton@koprince.com.