Small Business Program

Regulatory News & General Information

For more information on any of SBA's programs for small businesses, call the SBA Answer Desk at 1-800 U ASK SBA or TDD 704-344-6640. Also, visit the SBA's extensive Web site at www.sba.gov.

You can receive all of the SBA's News Releases via e-mail. To subscribe, visit http://www.sba.gov/news/indexheadline.html and click on "Subscribe to SBA News."

Information Announcement: SBA Discontinues SDB Certification Program

Effective 3 October 2008, an interim final rule changed the requirements relating to which firms may certify their status as small disadvantaged businesses (SDBs) for purposes of federal prime contracts and subcontracts. This rule allows firms to self-represent their status for SUBCONTRACTING purposes, without first receiving an SDB certification through the SBA. It also recognizes that the benefits of being an SDB for federal prime contracts has been greatly diminished over the past years, and shifts the responsibility of identifying firms as SDBs for FEDERAL PRIME CONTRACTING to those limited agencies that have authority and choose to use price evaluation adjustments to SDBs. Firms participating in the SBA’s 8 (a) developmental program are still being automatically certified. If your firm is not classified as an 8 (a) firm, you should contact your local SBA office to obtain the necessary information and guidance for determining SDB status. Refer to Federal Register/Vol. 73, No. 193/Friday, October 3, 2008/Rules and Regulations for further, specific guidance.

To receive more specific information pertaining to the SDB program, call the SBA at 1-800-558-0884.

The HUBZone Empowerment Contracting Program

The HUBZone Empowerment Contracting Program is designed to stimulate economic development by providing federal contracting opportunities to small businesses located in eligible areas. The SBA administers the HUBZone program and certifies companies for eligibility.

To review the program's requirements and to determine if your firm meets the eligibility criteria for the program, visit SBA's HUBZone home page at www.sba.gov/hubzone/section05b.htm or contact your local SBA office.

If your firm meets the eligibility criteria, WESTON encourages you to apply for certification. Any firm not certified by the SBA cannot participate in the program or be claimed as a HUBZone firm by prime contractors.

Visit the SBA Web site for information regarding all socioeconomic programs: www.sba.gov/sdb.

For more information regarding Federal Contracting Opportunities, go to: http://fedbizopps.gov

For more information regarding Veterans Administration Opportunities, go to: http://www.vetbiz.gov

For more information on the US House of Representatives Small Business Committee news and upcoming business, go to: http://www.house.gov/smbiz/democrats