Socio-economic Policies

Are you a Native-Hawaiian Owned (“NHO”) business interested in applying for the Small Business Administration (“SBA”) 8(a) Development Program (“8(a) Program”)? Ward and Berry provides this brief informative guide as to the legal framework and regulations for becoming an NHO (as defined by the SBA) and applying for the 8(a) Program.   Under 13...

The Historically Underutilized Business Zones (HUBZone) program is one of the Small Business Associations socioeconomic programs that help small businesses in urban and rural communities gain preferential access to government contracts.  The HUBZone program sets aside contracts specifically for HUBZone businesses. Additionally, in full and open competitions for government contracts, the HUBZone business receives...

The “8(a) Program” provides participating small businesses with training, technical assistance, and contracting opportunities in the form of set-aside and sole-source awards.   The 8(a) Program also includes “Super 8(a)” businesses.  Super 8(a) businesses are firms that are owned by Indian tribes, Alaskan Native Corporations (ANCs), and Native Hawaiian Organizations (NHOs). These businesses are presumed...

Over the past several months, we have seen a considerable increase in the number of clients who have contacted us seeking advice on how to navigate the domestic preference and sourcing requirements contained in their federal government contract(s). Recent inquiries include issues involving the Buy American Act, the Trade Agreements Act, and the Berry Amendment. This increase in client...

The federal government's goal is to award at least three percent of all federal contracting dollars to service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses (SDVOSB) each year. As such, SDVOSB companies may enjoy “full and open competition after the exclusion of sources” as provided in FAR 6.206 and not have to endure “full and open competition” as...

The Small Business Administration was created primarily to encourage and promote the advocacy interests of small businesses across the United States. Part of these interests are ensuring that federal agencies maximize procurement opportunities for small businesses. See, e.g., Section 8(a) Business Development program, Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone) program, Service-Disabled Veterans Owned Small Businesses,...