SBA recently announced that starting August 1, initial applications for government contracting certifications 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 our small business customers—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 proposal number, agency, and bid due date.
What will this pause in initial applications mean for small businesses already certified?
- Most certified firms will not be impacted by the pause in applications.
- 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—and impacted WOSB firms have already been notified.
- Veterans/SDVOSB: Certification renewal will be extended for one year—impacted firms will be notified by the program office.
- 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.
Stay tuned!
SBA will be providing more resources and guidance over the coming days.
- Visit certify.SBA.gov/upgradefor the most current information and fact sheet.
- Reach out with questions to the customer support team in SBA’s Office of Government Contracting and Business Development (GCBD) via email to certifications@sba.gov or by calling202-205-6459.