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Open 8(a) Set‑Aside Contracts

The SBA 8(a) Business Development program is a nine-year program for small businesses owned by socially and economically disadvantaged people. Participants can compete for 8(a) set-asides and receive sole-source awards up to $5.5 million, or $8.5 million for manufacturing.

The program changed significantly in 2025 and 2026. A new rule took effect on September 10, 2026 that replaced the old presumption of social disadvantage with an evidence-based test. Only certified 8(a) participants can win these set-asides.

46 open 8(a) set-asides on SAM.gov right now, updated daily.

Search all 8(a) set-asides

Open 8(a) set-asides with 2+ days to respond

Showing 9 of 46: the soonest due with 2+ days left to respond. The others are due later, close within 2 days or have no deadline.

  • RCMI & CDM Support Services

    Department of Defense · Defense Health Agency (DHA) · San Antonio, TX

    ✦ The Defense Health Agency (DHA) is asking for information (a request for information, or RFI: market research, not a request for offers) on Revenue Cycle Modernization &…

    Consulting & professional services8(a)

    Due in 2 daysNov 16, 2026, 10:00 AM EST

  • Design Build Markey DC0094ZZ Multi Floor Interior Finish Improvements

    General Services Administration · Public Buildings Service · Washington, DC

    Construction & renovation8(a)

    Due in 2 daysNov 16, 2026, 12:00 PM EST

  • Property Managmement and Accountability Support Services; PSC R425, Naics 541330

    Department of Defense · Department of the Navy · Crane, IN · Near Bloomington, IN

    ✦ The Navy's Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Crane Division in Crane, Indiana wants property management and accountability support services under a task order (an order placed…

    Engineering, architecture & research8(a)

    Due in 2 daysNov 16, 2026, 2:00 PM EST

  • SOURCES SOUGHT: N40080-27-R-XXXX 8(a) BASEWIDE JANITORIAL SERVICES FOR MARINE CORPS BASE (MCB) QUANTICO, VIRGINIA

    Department of Defense · Department of the Navy · Quantico, VA · Near Washington, DC

    ✦ The Navy's Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC) Washington / FEAD Quantico is doing market research (a sources sought, N40080-27-R-XXXX) for basewide janitorial…

    Facilities, janitorial & grounds8(a)

    Due in 2 daysNov 16, 2026, 2:00 PM EST

  • Authentication Services for FISMA Support

    Department of the Treasury · Bureau of the Fiscal Service · Parkersburg, WV

    IT, software & telecom8(a)

    Due in 2 daysNov 16, 2026, 3:00 PM EST

  • Environmental Consolidated Services

    Department of Defense · Department of the Army · Redstone Arsenal, AL · Near Huntsville, AL

    Consulting & professional services8(a)

    Due in 2 daysNov 16, 2026, 5:00 PM EST

  • SABER V Hill AFB

    Department of Defense · Department of the Air Force · Hill AFB, UT (from the notice text) · Near Ogden, UT

    ✦ Only 8(a) firms can bid (the Small Business Administration program for disadvantaged small businesses): the response due date is November 5, 2026, 4:30 PM Mountain.

    Construction & renovation8(a)

    Due in 2 daysNov 16, 2026, 4:30 PM MST

  • Antiterrorism Support Services

    Department of Defense · Department of the Army · Gaithersburg, MD

    Consulting & professional services8(a)

    Due in 3 daysNov 17, 2026, 10:00 AM EST

  • INSCOM G-2 Access Control and Security Escorts (ACES)

    Department of Defense · Department of the Army · Fort Belvoir, VA · Near Washington, DC

    ✦ Only 8(a) program firms can bid: the Army's INSCOM office at Fort Belvoir, VA wants access control and security escort services (ACES) for INSCOM G-2 under solicitation…

    Security & guard services8(a)

    Due in 4 daysNov 18, 2026, 3:00 PM EST

See all 46 open 8(a) set-asides

Who qualifies

  • At least 51% owned and controlled by U.S. citizens who are socially and economically disadvantaged, under SBA's current test.
  • Economic limits for each disadvantaged owner: personal net worth under $850,000, adjusted gross income of $400,000 or less, and total assets of $6.5 million or less.
  • Small, with a potential for success (generally two years in business), and no prior 8(a) participation.

How to get certified

Apply through SBA at certifications.sba.gov. The rules and SBA's processing have changed often since 2025, so read SBA's current guidance before you apply.

Not sure you qualify? Take the free certification screener: a few quick questions about 8(a) and the other SBA programs.

Frequently asked questions

Can I bid on 8(a) set-asides without being in the program?

No. Only firms that SBA has admitted to the 8(a) program can win 8(a) set-asides and sole-source awards.

How long does 8(a) certification last?

The program term is nine years from SBA's approval, and firms must keep meeting the eligibility rules the whole time.

Is the 8(a) program still open to new applicants?

Yes, under the rule that took effect September 10, 2026, which changed how social disadvantage is shown. Check SBA's 8(a) page for current application guidance and processing times.

Read next

Other set-asides: WOSB · SDVOSB · HUBZone · Small business (no certification needed) · Veteran-owned (VA only) · All set-asides

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