Small Business: Status of SBA's 8(a) Minority Business Development
Program (Testimony, 04/04/95, GAO/T-RCED-95-149).

The 8(a) business development program undoubtedly has helped some firms
owned by socially and economically disadvantaged persons to compete in
the commercial marketplace.  This testimony focuses on several program
weaknesses that are preventing firms from obtaining experiences
essential to their development. The total dollar value of new contracts
awarded competitively grew during fiscal year 1994, but federal
procuring agencies limit firms' opportunities for competition under the
8(a) program.  The concentration of contract dollars in a few firms
continued in 1994, limiting the developmental opportunities available to
many firms.  And although the Small Business Administration has approved
business plans for most firms, it has not devoted to same attention to
annually reviewing these plans to ensure that they accurately reflect
the firms' development goals and contract needs.  Moreover, many firms
nearing the end of their program terms still depend on 8(a) contracts,
raising doubts about their chances for success in the commercial
marketplace.

--------------------------- Indexing Terms -----------------------------

 REPORTNUM:  T-RCED-95-149
     TITLE:  Small Business: Status of SBA's 8(a) Minority Business 
             Development Program
      DATE:  04/04/95
   SUBJECT:  Disadvantaged persons
             Technical assistance
             Small business assistance
             Small business contractors
             Minority business assistance
             Minority business contracts
             Minority business set-asides
             Minority businesses
             Economic development
             Contract award
IDENTIFIER:  SBA 8(a) Program
             DOD Small Disadvantaged Business Preference Program
             
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