Strategies for Small Business Administration 8(A) Business Development Program-Certified Firms in Program Years 4-6

Abstract

This study explored the practices of 8(a) principal-owners who were active in the Small Business Administration 8(a) social or economically disadvantaged business program during years 4 to 6 (midphase). The study aimed to determine whether specific practices contributed to federal contracting bidding outcomes during the competitive phase of the program and to create a taxonomy of best practices. The qualitative inquiry study employed the critical incident technique. Participants (N = 11) interviewed were 8(a) program principals who had completed at least Year 6 of the program. Critical incidents (N = 81) recollected from their bidding experiences during the midphase of the program were documented, explored, and analyzed. Thematic analysis data analysis process resulted in themes:  From these themes, a taxonomy of strategic practices for use by 8(a) firms was created, which included: Developing additional relationships, learning to price competitively, creating high-quality proposals, and ensuring proper communication. The study was limited to the experiences of 11 individual principals from multiple businesses which operated and bid on federal projects during the midphase of the 8(a) program. The taxonomy may aid future principals in the early to midphases of the 8(a) program to build an overall strategy for successful transition from the program into a sustainable small business in the federal contracting sector. No other critical incident technique studies have been conducted on the midphase members of 8(a) contract bidders. The study filled a gap, providing valuable insights to current or potential 8(a) federal contractors.