Are You Considering the Basics before Getting 8a Certification

There are certain business certifications that can help a small business get a few steps ahead of their peers. And,   one of the most popular ones includes 8a Certification.  

But, exactly what is 8a Certification? Well, an 8a Certification is nothing but a golden ticket to the federal marketplace. Typically, based upon the majority owner(s) of the company, an 8a certification is awarded to the business owners, who belong to the minority section, or a female, or a veteran. If any business owner can qualify all three of the criteria, there’s higher probability to  get the certification. However, there are some realities that a business should consider before pursuing for this certification.

Determine Your Business Right

The first consideration is determining if your business is in the right industry. Basically, the United States government is a big business.  In fact, it is the largest single purchaser of goods and services in the world. So, if one's company is not a business-to-business company then it would be best if one stopped looking for federal business. Something that is business-to-consumer like a restaurant just does not fit government procurement. There can be times when a consumer company could fulfill a contract here or there. One example is where a government institution needed meals provided on a fairly regular basis. The contract may not be big enough for a food service company, so a local provider would be desired. But the opportunities are so few and far in-between that one should not worry about getting the 8a Certification.

There’s a Fierce Competition

Another consideration is that even with 8a certification, getting business from governments or corporations will be difficult. A business is no less than the federal job market itself; rather it creates opportunities for the job market.  Being certified is just one more thing a business can add as a reason to use them. But rarely is it the sole-reason any procurement agent will use a particular company. Between two competitors it may be the deciding factor, but only after everything else has been added up and they are equal. Most likely, it will be the last thing considered.

Getting Certified is a Complex & Extended Process

Getting certified is not that easy. 8a business development program just opens up the door to the federal marketplace, but it does not guarantee contracts. The reality is you need to stick with the concerned authority to get the certificate. Moreover, for every government certification, there is a lot of paperwork and waiting. So, one should really be committed to making it happen. In the meantime, they should be working on getting business from their regular sources because getting a government contract will be far off.

Final Thoughts

To be honest, as a  business you  still need to sell yourself. Marketing will be the key, and because one is pursuing a very narrow niche with the certification, marketing will not be easy. One will have to be willing to invest money to be at conferences and networking events. It helps you get hold of the sales calls and stay in front of procurement and contracting people. A business needs to decide if they can make the commitment of time, money, and work to get  the  8a  Certification for their business.