8(a) SINGLE-SOURCE
SET-ASIDE CONTRACTING

U.S. Government Contracting Officers are authorized to Single-Source awards in amounts of up to $3.5 million dollars for goods and services. In addition, depending upon contract terms and conditions set by the U.S. Government, the contracting officers are authorized to negotiate contracts in amounts of up to $5.5 million dollars for the manufacturing of products.

PROCUREMENT PROCESS

There are many advantages for utilizing NSC’s 8(a) single-source avenue for procurement.

Faster Service
There is no competition; therefore, the procurement process is expedited. In addition, it eliminates protests and FedBizOpps advertisement.

Product Fulfillment
By eliminating the competition, the requiring office will have more interaction with the contractor in fulfilling the requirements.

Realistic Pricing
Contract pricing is negotiated.

CONTRACT PROCESS

There is more than one way to process an NSC 8(a) single-source contract. Following is a typical example:

• NSC identifies a requirement and initiates preliminary technical discussions with the government client.
• The government client submits a formal Request for Quote to NSC.
• NSC responds with a proposal.
• Terms are negotiated between NSC and the government client.
• The contract is awarded.

8(a) FACTS

Teaming is allowed and encouraged; however, NSC must perform at least 50% of the labor on any 8(a) contract.

To save time, the client agency may initiate the set-aside process by notifying the NSC SBA District Office point of contact.

WHAT IS A FEDERAL CERTIFIED 8(a) CONTRACTING PROGRAM?

This government contracting process was established by Congress, and is administered by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). This program federally mandates set-aside business and streamlines the process for contracting opportunities from all state and federal agencies, primarily the Department of Defense and law enforcement. As a broad goal, the U.S. Government has directed that at least 5% of all government contract procurement dollars go to Federally Certified 8(a) Companies.

NSC's 8(a) PROGRAM PARTICIPATION

This program, authorized by Section 8(a) of the Small Business Act, was designed to provide small, minority-owned companies with the opportunity to participate in the federal contracting process. The program gives agencies the ability to award restricted or no competition contracts to participating companies. (Reference: Federal Acquisition Regulations, Part 19.)

8(a) CONTRACT AWARDS

There are two basic ways to conduct business with NSC Technologies.
• Restricted 8(a) Competition or “8(a) Competes”
• 8(a) Single-Source Set-Aside Contracting

RESTRICTED 8(a) COMPETITION or "8(a) COMPETES"

The Restricted 8(a) Competition, or "8(a) Competes," is restricted to eligible 8(a) companies. It must be utilized when the total value of a contract, including option years, is expected to exceed the $3.5 million dollar ceiling for goods and services, or the $5.5 million dollar ceiling for manufacturing.

Contract Process: The Restricted 8(a) Competition contract process is very similar to a “full and open” procurement process.

• Requires advertisement in the Federal Business Opportunities (FedBizOpps).
• Protests are common.
• Client Agency is given credit towards 8(a) contracting targets.