Understanding the Need & Tribal 8(a)
Contracting

Quiet Crisis Native Americans 2003

An Effective Tool for Government Program Managers

This document is designed to familiarize the government program manager with how the 8(a) program is administered by the Small Business Administration (SBA), how to use the method, and the benefits of using the 8(a) contracting method.

The 8(a) contracting method, designed to assist small disadvantaged businesses, is the most powerful and flexible contracting tool available to the government program manager. The method also saves time, work, and cost during the procurement cycle.

By adding this contracting method to other available means of procurement, and using it when appropriate, the program manager will be able to better achieve the goals and objectives of his program.

The 8(a) program is the only procurement technique that allows the program manager sole discretion to choose the specific contractor team for his tasks.

What Makes a Tribally-Owned 8(a) Different than Other
8(a)'s?

A tribally owned 8(a) may receive sole-source contracts regardless of the dollar amount. Other 8(a)s have a $3 million limit, including options, on contracts for services; $5 million, including options, for manufacturing (products) contracts. A sole source contract awarded to any 8(a) cannot be protected for lack of competition, but no ceiling on awards to a tribally owned
8(a) means that protests cannot be lodged no matter what the contract's size. Some sole-source awards to tribally owned companies have been as high as $500 million. Other 8(a)s have this protection only up to their $3 million and $5 million ceilings.

Using the 8(a) Contracting Method

The process of using the 8(a) contracting method is simple. The program manager must have a valid requirement, expressed as a statement of work, and funds must be available. From this point, there are six short steps to contract award.

  • Selection of the contract team
  • Preparation of the procurement request
  • Receipt of "authorization to negotiate" from the SBA
  • Issuance of Request for Proposal
  • Proposal evaluation
  • Contract award

NIPCOM Consulting Group, LLC, has a suite of professional services to address the business intelligence, development, and management needs of organizations. NIPCOM brings the experience, skills, and understanding needed to support your current and future needs.

NIPCOM Consulting Group is comprised of experienced project managers, engineers, legal, tax, sales and professional marketing personnel who are committed to ensuring best value, highest quality of service, and sound advice.

As a result of NIPCOM's pursuit of excellence, a well-defined process has emerged that results in the continuous application of quality and reliability. There is no doubt that, when properly applied, the tribal 8(a) contracting method is the most powerful and flexible procurement technique available to the government program manager. To find out how this unique contracting method, combined with NIPCOM Consulting Group's experience can benefit your organization, please contact:

NIPCOM Consulting Group LLC.
1325 G Street, N.W.
Suite 500
Washington, DC 20005
202-552-7388