Government Contracting
Specific, sourced answers about federal contracting programs, certifications, and small-business set-asides.
3 questions
Does 8(a) Certification Transfer If the Business Is Sold?
No — 8(a) certification is tied to the specific ownership and control structure that qualified the business, so a change of ownership generally terminates eligibility rather than transferring it. A new owner must apply for 8(a) certification independently for their own qualifying business, even if it's the same company name or contracts.
Can a Joint Venture Bid on an 8(a) Sole-Source Contract?
Yes, but only under specific conditions: at least one joint venture partner must be an SBA-certified 8(a) participant, the joint venture agreement itself must meet SBA's regulatory requirements (including a required populated/unpopulated structure and specific clauses), and the JV must be approved by SBA before award in most cases.
How Long Does SBA 8(a) Certification Take to Approve?
The SBA's stated processing goal is 90 days from a complete application, but in practice many applicants report a total timeline of 4–6 months once you include gathering documentation and responding to requests for additional information. Incomplete applications or missing documentation are the most common cause of delay.