Recently, Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman, head of the U.S. Small Business Administration, announced plans to launch a new, streamlined contracting certifications experience called MySBA Certifications, enabling customers to apply for and manage multiple federal contracting certifications in one place. The new certifications tool — slated to open for new applicants in September — is a key component of the SBA’s multi-year transformative modernization of the agency’s customer experience.

“Small businesses are vital to our federal supply chains – they bring innovation, agility and competition into the marketplace while creating good jobs and strengthening local communities,” said Administrator Guzman in a press release. “Under the Biden-Harris Administration, the SBA has been elevating customer experience and modernizing its delivery of products and services across its programs. MySBA Certifications marks the latest investment which will make it easier than ever for more small business owners to get certified and pursue federal contracting opportunities.”

Through the new MySBA Certifications, customers applying for a new federal contracting certification will be able to:

• Spend less time applying with reduced paperwork and streamlined processes
• Apply for and manage all federal contracting certifications in one place
• Apply for multiple certifications at the same time
• Access valuable resources to help them win contracts

The SBA’s federal contracting certification programs enable qualifying small business owners to apply for and receive certifications that make them eligible to compete for and win small business set-aside prime and subcontracts. 

The SBA programs or certifications that will be accessible through MySBA Certifications include:

• Women-Owned Small Business and Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business 
• Veteran-Owned Small Business and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business 
• Small businesses in Historically Underutilized Business Zones 
• 8(a) Business Development Program
• Mentor-Protégé Program

Currently, the SBA’s small business certification programs are run through separate systems with distinct applications, compliance and review procedures. A White House analysis estimates that 40% of small businesses are eligible for multiple federal contracting certifications but only 10% currently hold more than one. Through MySBA Certifications, small business owners will be able to apply for and manage multiple federal contracting certifications in one place providing more opportunities to bid and win contracts.

The SBA is also making policy changes to simplify the application process, aligning many requirements across certification programs and reducing the paperwork burden for certifying firms, while maintaining a robust certification process to deliver against individual program objectives and continuing to ensure the program benefits communities intended to serve. Together, these changes will reduce the time it takes a small business owner to complete an application by an estimated 40% for a single certification and up to 70% for firms seeking multiple certifications. These improvements are also expected to reduce average processing times for WOSB and 8(a) applications by up to 80%.

Small business owners who have already applied or are seeking a certification renewal will continue to be processed. To support a smooth transition, earlier this year the SBA extended certification renewal timelines for one year for many certified firms. Further, the SBA has been working with partners and community organizations to ensure federal contractors continue to access these important programs for the agencies that rely on small businesses to achieve their goals. More information can be found at certify.sba.gov.