Companies We Can Subcontract To:

Non SBA certified companies or individuals can also participate, in contracts as a subcontractor to Huffman and Carpenter, Inc. for up to 49% of the contract award amount. Through the use of subcontractors, H&C, Inc. can offer a broader range of professional services and technical expertise.

How can an identified 8(a) firm save time?

The 8(a) firms have an advantage over other consultants conducting government work because they are essentially pre-approved to conduct government work and do not have to undergo timely bidding, qualifications and other approval processes. An 8(a) firm is a contractor that is pre-approved with the federal government whom upon issuance of a contract, can start work immediately.

What if the proposal has already been advertised through the Commerce Business Daily?

Once a project has been advertised through the Commerce Business Daily (CBD) an 8(a) firm can still bid on the project, however, the 8(a) contractor will need to bid against other 8(a) firms. In addition, the CBD announcement identifies the conditions of the federal contract, qualifications, percentage to small business/small disadvantaged business or an 8(a) firm, etc.

How does the ‘8(a) set aside’ process work?

An 8(a) firm will often times identify work directly with the federal agency in order to save time and expense on marketing. The federal agency can set aside this work for the 8(a) firm without advertising in the Commerce Business Daily. This allows the federal agency to directly award a contract without lengthy contracting delays. typically, the agency involved will send an announcement, called an offer letter, to the Small Business Administration (SBA). The offer letter will identify the firm’s name and the work to be conducted. After the SBA approves and accepts the contract, the SBA awards the contract to the 8(a) firm. At that point the federal agency and the 8(a) firm work out the scope of work and negotiate the contract.

How long does it take the SBA to approve the contract?

Contracts are usually approved in a matter of hours or within a day. The federal agency involved has an 8(a) or small business program and they understand how to guide their planners and engineers through the 8(a) contract program. Because the 8(a) program is a federal mandate, federal agencies get credit for the amount of work or contracts they issue to a small business/small disadvantaged business or 8(a) firm.