Consensus Solutions is excited to announce that our company has been certified by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) as a participant in the 8(a) Business Development Program! This certification opens a new chapter in our business’s story and unlocks exciting new opportunities for additional partnerships with government and private sector collaborators. We look forward to leveraging 8(a) certification to build on and expand our business goals, while simultaneously providing greater value to all our clients, both current and prospective.
Consensus Solutions is proud to have been accepted to such a competitive and challenging program. Our company will be an 8(a) participant for nine years from the date of our certification in May 2021. The 8(a) Program aids small businesses controlled at least 51% by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals and provides preferred access to the economic mainstream of American society. The goal of the 8(a) program is designed to help small businesses build capacity and experience so they can thrive.
What does 8(a) certification mean for our prospective clients and industry partners?
Our 8(a) certification opens new doors for our clients and partners.
For prospective clients:
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Consensus Solutions can help achieve your small, disadvantaged business contracting goals and requirements.
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Our ability to compete for and win set-aside and sole-source contracts allows our clients to access our expertise much more quickly and easily than non-8(a) qualified contractors.
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For instance, as long as an 8(a) firm is determined to be less than 10% over market price, a federal procurement officer can directly award a contract to an 8(a) firm.
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Furthermore, federal procurement officers will have the ability to easily identify Consensus Solutions as an 8(a) certified firm on GSA Advantage.
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Consensus Solutions is also available to support FEMA contracts to help disaster victims and assist in recovery. Our 8(a) certification allows us to support quick sole-source contracting mechanisms.
For industry partners:
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Consensus Solutions can leverage our own expertise combined with our 8(a) certification to amplify the access of partner businesses to the billions of dollars awarded annually via 8(a) contracts.
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Consensus Solutions can form joint ventures and teams to bid on contracts, enhancing our ability to perform on larger prime contracts.
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Consensus Solutions is also eligible to form an 8(a) Mentor-Protégé partnership with another business to compete together on bids for contracts that would benefit from each business.
What does 8(a) certification mean for our company?
The federal government aims to award at least 5% of all federal contracting dollars to small, disadvantaged businesses each year. With 8(a) certification, Consensus Solutions can compete for both set-aside and sole-source contracts from federal government agencies: up to $4.5 million for goods and services.
Consensus Solutions joins an elite group of fewer than 9,000 out of 24 million businesses in the United States with 8(a) certification, which drastically increases our competitiveness in the federal contracting sector. For instance, our 8(a) certification will be noted on our GSA schedule, allowing us to stand out to federal procurement officers using the GSA Advantage web portal.
Consensus Solutions will also gain access to the SBA’s Business Opportunity Specialist program, which will provide us with an additional resource in navigating federal contracting. We will also receive SBA management and technical assistance, including business training, counseling, marketing assistance, and high-level executive development.
How can you take advantage of Consensus Solution’s 8(a) certification?
Contact us for contract opportunities and business partnerships! Consensus Solutions stands ready to provide you with more details on our full range of services and discuss our areas of expertise and our business. We can be reached at:
