SBA Certification Upgrade

Source: SBA

Starting August 1, initial applications for government contracting certifications managed by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) will pause for the month to implement a planned upgrade across all of SBA’s certification systems. The upgrade will make SBA certifications easier for small businesses—including making it possible to apply for multiple certifications at once.

The upgraded system is expected to be available for new certifications in early September.

Which certifications are impacted by the upgrade?

• Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB)

• Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business (EDWOSB)

• 8(a) Business Development Program

• Veteran Small Business Certification (VOSB)

• Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB)

• Historically Underutilized Business Zones (HUBZone) Program

What will this mean for small businesses interested in applying or with pending applications during the August upgrade period?

• New or prospective applicants are encouraged to wait to apply until after the upgrade to benefit from the ability to apply for multiple certifications at once in addition to other features.

• Applications submitted before August 1 will be processed in the order received during the upgrade period. Applicants should continue to respond to requests for information as directed by the program.

• Firms facing a critical contracting deadline can contact certifications@sba.gov. Please provide the proposal number, agency, and bid due date.

What will this pause in initial applications mean for small businesses already certified?

• The pause in applications will not impact most certified firms.

• Firms with a renewal scheduled to occur during the upgrade period will receive guidance from the program regarding these specific requirements for the following programs:

• WOSB/EDWOSB: Certification renewal for participants has been extended for one year—impacted WOSB firms have already been notified.

• Veterans/SDVOSB: Certification renewal will be extended for one year—the program office will notify impacted firms.

• HUBZone: Annual recertification will continue in HCTS; firms are notified by the program office through the system 30 days prior to their anniversary date and provided instructions.

• 8a: Annual Attestation will continue in Certify.SBA.gov and firms will receive instructions accordingly.

• Firms required to make a material change or wishing to recertify should proceed as instructed by the programs.

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