United States Government Publishing Office publisher pbl distributor dst United States Government Accountability Office Resources, Community, and Economic Development Division author aut Government Organization text government publication eng GAOREPORTS Legislative Agency Publications gao legislative 2010-08-12 U.S. Government Printing Office 1995-04-04 monographic deposited born digital GA 1.13:T-RCED-95-149 https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/GAOREPORTS-T-RCED-95-149 P0b002ee18039866b f:trc95149 DGPO 2010-08-12 2011-03-24 GAOREPORTS-T-RCED-95-149 machine generated eng fdlp REPORT GAOREPORTS-T-RCED-95-149 T-RCED-95-149 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 SBA 8(a) Program DOD Small Disadvantaged Business Preference Program Testimony RCED 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. https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GAOREPORTS-T-RCED-95-149/html/GAOREPORTS-T-RCED-95-149.htm GAO/T-RCED-95-149 https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/GAOREPORTS-T-RCED-95-149 Testimony GAO/T-RCED-95-149; Small Business: Status of SBA's 8(a) Minority Business Development Program; 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 SBA 8(a) Program DOD Small Disadvantaged Business Preference Program