How Difficult Is It To Get an SBA 8a Certification? Should You Do It By Yourself Or Hire a Consultant?

It is a fact that the SBA rejects approximately 70% and questions about 90% of all 8a certifications submitted by the applicants. In reality, getting an 8a certification is quite difficult without getting professional assistance. You can apply for 8a certification by yourself but for that, you need to have proper knowledge and understanding of the 8a Business Development Program and the Small Business Administration (SBA). It is extremely important to make your business meet the standards of the Small Business Administration to obtain 8a certification. Be aware of all the rules and regulations of the 8a program if you are going to apply on your own. You will need to submit an 8a application to get it done right the first time itself.

Or else, there is always the option of hiring a consultant or subject matter expert to get proper guidance and effective expertise. 

In this blog, we are going to discuss how difficult is it to get an SBA 8a certification. By the end of this blog, you will be able to decide whether you should do it by yourself or hire a consultant.

Things you should look for if you want to hire a consultant

Some people just look at the price as an important factor to choose a consultant. Price is obviously an important factor but it is not the only one to choose the best consultant. You should look at other essential factors if you want to hire a consultant to complete your SBA 8a application. We have mentioned certain important factors to get the most suitable consultant for your business.

Hire a consultant if – you can get all the information about the consulting firm

If you cannot determine who the company is then you should avoid connecting with them. Only hire a consultant who has all the information available. Make sure that the consulting firm has listed its physical address on its official website. Also, make sure that the website has all the information available so that you can evaluate it.

Know about the clients that the consultant has worked before

Ask for references of their clients and check if they have obtained 8a certification or not with the help of professional assistance. Know about the experiences of the companies that received assistance and expertise. You can check the online reviews if available. Ask the clients of the consultant about the time duration it took to obtain the 8a certification.

Observe the approach of the consultant while talking 

Call the consultant or consulting firm and try to observe the approach towards you. If you call for some query and they are able to answer clearly then it means that the consultants are confident about what they are doing. If they just try to get you to sign up then don’t trust them or their services. It means that they don’t care about the results and only want their prospective clients to buy their services.

Check the experience and knowledge of the consultant

Last but not the least, check if the consultant that you are going to hire has enough experience and knowledge to provide you with the most suitable consulting service. Make sure that have in-depth knowledge of the markets and gathered vast experience over the years.

Apart from all these, there are other important factors that will help you to determine the best-suited consultant to help you complete the 8a application.

Important things to check if you are completing the 8a application on your own

Applicants or we can prospective federal contractors who wish to complete the 8a application by themselves need to check certain important things. Once you are done filling out the 8a application you need to do the following things:

  • Review your entire application.
  • Check if there is any document missing for your application .
  • Check if there is any potential eligibility issue.
  • Modify your application (if needed).

Steps to get an SBA 8a certification

We have mentioned all the steps that will help you obtain an SBA 8a certification if you are going to do it on your own.

  • Make your business meet the eligibility criteria according to the standards of the SBA.
  • Gather all the supporting documents to complete the 8a application successfully.
  • Register your business/company with the System for Award Management (SAM).
  • Write a narrative on the social and economic disadvantages you have faced as a small business in the United States.
  • Apply to get into the 8a Business Developmental Program.
  • Meet with the representative of the Small Business Administration (SBA).
  • Maintain the eligibility to remain as a participant in the 8a program.

Conclusion

Now you can figure out how tough is it to obtain an 8a certification as a small business in the United States. You can simply make preparations and work on your own or you can get assistance from subject-matter experts or consultants.  

Get into the 8a Program by Obtaining 8a Certification

The 8a program is a business development program of the government of the United States. This program has been developed to provide support to the companies or contractors that are willing to do business in the federal market. The 8a business developmental program is a robust program that lasts for nine years.

The 8a program is specifically meant for companies that are owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals. Businesses that participate in the 8a program receive training and technical assistance. The training and assistance of the 8a program help businesses to strengthen their abilities to compete and obtain contracts in the federal market.

In order to get into the developmental program, you will need to obtain the 8a certification. Only companies with 8a certification are allowed to become a participant in the program. To opt for obtaining the 8a certification you will need to make your business eligible by fulfilling all the 8a certification requirements. There are multiple 8a certification requirements so make sure to meet all the requirements.

In this blog, we are going to let you know all the 8a certification requirements and the process that you will need to go through. Along with these, we will also give some important points which will help you to go through the procedure smoothly without having confusions. So without wasting any more time let’s get straight to the point to understand the subject matter precisely.

How to qualify for the 8a program

In order to qualify for the 8a program, you will need to make your business meet certain eligibility criteria. The 8a certification requirements are mentioned below:

  • Your business needs to be small.
  • You need to be the applicant who is going to participate in the 8a program for the first time.
  • Your business needs to be at least 51% owned and controlled by U.S. citizens.
  • You have to be the business owner who is socially and economically disadvantaged.
  • Your personal net worth should be $750 thousand or less.
  • Your adjusted growth income has to be $350 thousand or less.
  • You must have assets worth $6 million or less.
  • As a business owner, you should be able to demonstrate good character.
  • You need to demonstrate the potential for success such as having been in business for two or more years.

So these are the 8a certification requirements that you need to fulfill in order to get into the developmental program.

Brief about 8a certification

We have already said that the 8a certification is required to become a participant in the 8a developmental program. In order to obtain the certification, you will need to fulfill all the necessary 8a certification requirements.

The 8a certification lasts for nine years. The first four years are considered a developmental stage. The last five years are considered a transitional stage that you need to complete. So it is important to go through all the stages carefully.

Apply to get certified as an 8a small business

In order to apply for 8a certification applicants need to go through a lengthy and complex procedure. We have broken down the process into three simple steps so that the readers can understand.

  • Identify your primary NAICS code.
  • Register your business with the System for Award Management (SAM) of the United States.  
  • Apply for 8a certification.

Learn precisely about each of these steps to go through the process smoothly. You need to know to identify your primary NAICS code and learn more about registering with the System for Award Management. Make sure to learn more about the application procedure for the 8a certification as well.

Important points you must know for getting into the 8a program

There are a few important points that you should know before getting into the 8a program. We are giving the important points so that you can take decisions without making any mistakes. So read all the important points mentioned below:

  • Don’t make any mistakes while going through the process of obtaining the 8a certification.
  • Be aware of all the legal factors and follow all the rules that are set by the government of the United States.
  • Take out all the valid reports and analyze them precisely to understand the data.
  • Conduct thorough federal market research before you apply for the 8a certification.
  • Strategize your government marketing plan.
  • Work in a systematic manner to avoid any sort of confusion or uncertainty.

Conclusion

So now you know about the eligibility criteria (8a certification requirements) and the application process. It is your time to get go through a systematic way and get into the 8a business developmental program of the United States.

Business Upliftment in USA: Try 8a Certification

Selling to the Federal authorities is extraordinarily attractive; whilst spending exceeds one trillion dollars, the possibilities seem limitless. The duration and lengthy period of the contracts additionally appeal to organizations to authorities contracting. For those equal reasons, the authorities contracting subject is likewise very competitive. Finding methods to distinguish your small enterprise on this crowded area can appear daunting, however with the assist of the Small Business Administration’s 8a certification Business Development application, socially and economically deprived entities can discover methods to develop their organizations. If you qualify and feature acquired your 8a certifications repute – congratulations! Your clock is ticking, and your adventure has begun. For organizations who’re searching on the 8a certification, pay interest, you’ll gain from this recommendation even in case you don’t have your certification but.

Here are major guidelines to maximize and capitalize to your 8a certification repute.

Tip # 1: Neither Start nor Stop Marketing – recommendation no person has nor will percentage with you!

You were advertising and marketing your organization because the day you started. You are doing some thing proper in any other case you will now no longer have certified for the 8a certification Business Development application. When you get hold of your 8a certification repute, you have to have already got a enterprise improvement and advertising and marketing plan in place. Do now no longer forestall doing what you had been doing; you presently have an extra differentiator to face out from the crowd. New 8a certification organizations have to preserve a dual- tune boom approach. The first is your boom approach primarily based totally on natural capability. This is in which you’re going after enterprise leads and possibilities due to the fact they fall inside your organizations center talents.

Tip # 2: Relationships are key to the fulfillment of any 8a certification organization – hint! Relationships want to be cultivated.

Companies who haven’t but carried out for his or her 8a certification have to virtually be aware of this tip. But in case you have already got your 8a certification – it isn’t always too late. The exceptional manner to leverage your socioeconomic certification repute is to construct a stable community of organizations that do precisely what you do. You study that proper – we’re asking you to ‘befriend thy competitor’. In authorities contracting there are neither ‘best’ competition nor ‘best’ comrades. Your group with every different on one bid and compete with every different on another – it’s miles the character of presidency contracting. Therefore, you’ll need to construct a courting primarily based totally on mutual appreciate and agree with with the organizations who will chase the equal leads as you– except, on a miles large scale. Now, cognizance on constructing a lengthy-time period courting with them thru significant change of leads, teaming possibility invitations, and capability-primarily based totally (now no longer socioeconomic-primarily based totally) advertising and marketing. Pay interest y’all– this closing sentence will make or destroy your courting!

Tip # 3: Be hungry, be aggressive. Don’t rely upon partnerships alone.

You best have 9 years at the 8a certification application! Now isn’t always the time to be timid and depend totally on teaming. You have to virtually best practice and get your 8a certification if you have the bandwidth to marketplace your organization on a full-time basis. Once you’ve got the certificate, don’t lose precious time. Treat each 12 months of this system as though it had been your closing. Do your marketplace studies and discover groups that want your talents and feature the biggest socioeconomic set-apart shopping for history. Narrow down your listing to the pinnacle 5 groups and ethically stalk them. Respond to each Sources Sought notices you qualify for, attend each networking occasion hosted with the aid of using your goal agency, and examine them deeply, now no longer broadly. Find the proper possibilities and publish well-written, well-articulated, and compliant proposals. Focus on preserving overheads low with the aid of using partnering with an organization like Certification consultants for expert inspiration writing and inspiration control solutions.

ez8a business consultants

Tip # 4: Sole Source isn’t always assured however don’t expect they’re not possible either.

One of the most important benefits of being an authorized 8a certification organization is the capacity groups ought to direct an award for your organization. Regulations thirteen CFR 124 and FAR 19.8 govern the SBA 8a certification application however it’s miles incumbent upon you to assist your clients recognize how those guidelines may be used to direct an award for your organization. These methods you want to examine and recognize the guidelines absolutely and consequently be capable of assist conquer the myths and obstacles to their use. Certification consultant’s targeted inspiration writing strategies have helped customers get directed awards beginning with a reaction to a Sources Sought Notice. How you reply to the marketplace studies questions have loads to do with expertise the guidelines. With the equal statistics that the complete enterprise had, Certification consultants have been capable of correctly converts Sources Sought responses to directed awards for our customers and you could too.

These 4 pearls are simply the end of an iceberg. Getting an 8a certification has to be visible as certainly considered one among many gear for your arsenal of boom strategies. It is an essential one however it’s going to now no longer closing forever. Use it well, use it wisely, and leverage it for all of the blessings that include it.

Requirements for SBA 8a Certification Applications & SBA 8a Status Qualifications

It might be easy to understand the SBA 8a qualifications and 8a certification requirements at first. However, the complexity of comprehending how to obtain 8a certification will soon become clear in terms of legal analysis and the explanations for application denials. There might be fewer problems with single-member LLCs than with multi-member LLCs. The applicant must still investigate every possibility to rule out any issues that the SBA might have.

Do You Meet the 13 CFR 124 SBA 8a Qualifications and SBA 8a Certification Requirements?

You must fulfill the following 8a certification requirements for SBA certification under 13 CFR Part 124 and SBA 8a qualifications to know how to achieve 8(a) certification or to improve your chances of earning your SBA 8a status:

Following are the basic 8a certification requirements-

  • Based on applicable SBA size guidelines for small businesses in your industry, it must be a small business concern.
  • Every person on whose eligibility is based must be an American citizen.
  • Be the unqualified majority owner of the company.
  • Interests in unrelated businesses are prohibited.
  • Must be a full-time employee of your company.
  • You need to be in charge of your business right away.
  • Only people with disadvantages may exert board control in the case of a small business corporation.
  • Must be a person with social disadvantages. Socially disadvantaged individuals are those who have been subjected to racial or ethnic discrimination or cultural bias within American society because of their identification as members of groups and without consideration of their attributes.
  • The social disadvantage must be the result of uncontrollable conditions. African Americans, Native Americans, Hispanic Americans, Asian Pacific Americans, and Subcontinent Asian Americans are among the supposed categories under the Small Business Act. If applicants can demonstrate that their race, ethnicity, gender, physical disability, or place of residence places them at a disadvantage compared to others, they may be accepted into the program.
  • Must be the sole owner of your business and must not live with anyone else than the people who determine your eligibility for the 8a certification.
  • Must be someone who is struggling financially. For the 8(a) program this implies all candidate people must have a net worth of $250,000 or less, excluding the value of the business and personal dwelling.
  • Must have been in operation for at least two years before applying for a waiver.
  • Not have any substantial unresolved financial tax issues at the federal or state levels.
  • Must possess moral integrity.
  • Should not run a firm that isn’t certified.

Economic Disadvantage Narrative Statement and SBA 8a Certification Requirements for Education

The SBA considers “such factors as denial of equal access to institutions of higher education, exclusion from social and professional association with students or teachers, denial of educational honors rightfully earned, and social patterns or pressures which discouraged the individual from pursuing a professional or business education” when reviewing your application for claims related to eligible education. Regulations 124.103(c)(2)(iii) (A).

  • You cannot make conclusory comments in your narrative declaration of an economic disadvantage when applying for 8a and SDB certification, according to the guidelines for 8a certification criteria.
  • The SBA 8a certification criteria necessitate that you demonstrate an outcome rather than merely stating that a scenario existed. You must support them with real proof.

8a Certification Requirements and Qualifications – Failure to Demonstrate Success Potential Is Not Appealable

You may only appeal a refusal of your 8a certification application as an applicant for the SBA 8(a) BD Program if the SBA’s decision is exclusively based on a negative finding of social disadvantage, economic disadvantage, ownership, or control. see 13 CFR 124.206 and 15 USC 637(a)(9) (a).

If the SBA’s judgment was based, even partially, on any other reasons, SBA OHA must deny jurisdiction. Consider the following examples: Pynergy, LLC, SBA No. BDPE-525 (July 23, 2014); Platinum Business Services, LLC, SBA No. BDPE-504 (August 29, 2013); Novel Wares, Inc., SBA No.BDP-454 (Nov.21, 2012).

Having said that, failing to demonstrate the possibility for business success is the death knell for your 8a application. There is not much you can do if the SBA is not persuaded that you have success potential.

Show Strong Proof of Social Disadvantage Due to Bias and Discrimination for SBA Certification

The conditions for SBA certification are quite difficult to meet. Your task is to be able to tell your story successfully. If you include all pertinent information and provide convincing evidence to support your application, such as affidavits, communications, etc., the SBA will be forced to take your evidence into account.

Because they are unfamiliar with the breadth of material and supporting proof for your claims, applicants who are trying to obtain their 8a status have a challenge. Everyone’s story and facts for meeting the SBA’s 8a standards are different. The secret to earning an 8a certification understands how to put the application package together.

To prevent making any fraudulent claims in your narrative statement of economic disadvantage, our 8a certification specialists make sure you thoroughly follow through with the complete SBA 8a certification requirements and application procedure.

Know About HUBZone & The Process Of Obtaining HUBZone Certification

The HUBZone is a program of the federal government of the United States. This program has been developed to support small businesses to grow in historically underutilized business zones. The main goal of this program is to award at least 3% of the capital of federal contracts to HUBZone-certified companies every year. The HUBZone program was created in response to the HUBZone Empowerment Act in 1998.

Small businesses in the historically underutilized business zones can get into the program to gain competitive advantages by getting several government contracting opportunities. In order, to get into the program companies need to qualify by fulfilling the eligibility criteria. Before getting into the program you will need to obtain HUBZone certification. It will validate that your entity has fulfilled all the requirements and has the potential to do business in the federal market.

In this blog, we are going to let you know about all the fundamentals and important points of the HUBZone program. It will help you to get an overall idea about the HUBZone program and the HUBZone certification.

Know about the HUBZone program

The Historically Underutilized Business Zones program of the U.S. government is known as the HUBZone program. It is the program of the Small Business Administration (SBA) of the United States. The program has the intent to help small businesses in rural and urban communities to gain preferential access to government procurement opportunities. The government has the goal to award a minimum of 3% of the capital of all federal prime contracts to the HUBZone-certified companies. So, in order to get into the program, you will need to obtain the HUBZone certification by meeting the eligibility criteria.

The government may provide set-aside and sole-source contracts to the HUBZone-certified companies. These companies can be allowed to bid on government contracts.

So, if you get into the HUBZone program then your business will gain competitive advantages in the federal market. Your business will get preferences from government agencies. As a result, your business will be able to sell more products and services by obtaining government contracts.

Benefits of the HUBZone program

There are multiple benefits that you can get by making your business a participant in the program. The government limits competition for certain government contracts to HUBZone-certified companies. The government agencies prefer HUBZone-certified businesses to help them sustain and grow in the federal market. If you obtain the HUBZone certification and get into the program by making your business meet the eligibility criteria then your business will receive set-aside contracts of the program. The HUBZone-certified companies also get a 10% price evaluation preference in full and open contract competitions. There are also many other benefits that you can by getting into the HUBZone program.

Know about the HUBZone program qualification

Businesses need to fulfill certain requirements to obtain the HUBZone certification and get into the program. In order to qualify for the HUBZone program, your business needs to meet the eligibility criteria.

  • According to the standards of the Small Business Administration (SBA) your business needs to be small in size.
  • The businesses of the applicants need to be owned and controlled at least 51% by U.S. citizens.
  • Business owners can also belong from a community development corporation, an agricultural cooperative, an Alaska Native corporation, an Indian tribe, and a native Hawaiian organization.
  • The principal office of the business has to be located in the HUBZone.
  • 35% of employees of the business should be living in the HUBZone.

How to apply to get HUBZone certification as a small business?

It is important to know that you need to obtain certification from Small Business Administration (SBA) to become a participant of the HUBZone program.

  • Create a SAM.gov account.
  • Create a General Login System account.
  • By using the General Login System apply for HUBZone certification. After that, log in and select ‘Access’ and then ‘HUBZone’ before completing the prompts.
  • Remember to check your email for time-sensitive instructions to verify your application within two business days.
  • Within three business days, submit all the requested supporting documents. Until all required documents are submitted your submission cannot be assigned for eligibility review.
  • Be prepared to give response to requests for additional information from the HUBZone team within 5 business days.
  • Make sure to check that your status was updated in SAM and DSBS. SBA will automatically update your status in DSBS and SAM within 48 hours of your approval.
Conclusion

Now you know about the HUBZone program or HUBZone certification. You have also got to know how to apply for the HUBZone program. It is your time to go make your business eligible and go through the application process for obtaining HUBZone certification to get into the program. Start your business journey now without wait for a long time.

Get your NMSDC Certification in With Ease

Presently You Can Have Your NMSDC CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS Done Safely.

NMSDC gives certification of minorities-controlled organizations to qualified elements that have been ensured as MBEs by a NMSDC Regional Affiliate Council (RMSDC) and have the chance to get value capital through the issuance of non-casting a ballot stock. To qualify as a Professional Institutional Investor, one should be (a) engaged with value ventures (instead of overseeing organizations) and (b) oversee more than $25 million in the capital.

Qualification measures:

1. As a state of certification as a MBE, the candidate should be ensured by a RMSDC, or have had their certification disavowed exclusively thus with NMSDC certification REQUIREMENTS. (I) Minority Group Members never again hold 51% of the organization’s load of value class or one more proof of possession (ii) Minority Group Members don’t address 51% of the top managerial staff (a “Pre-Certified MBE”).

2. Pre-ensured MBEs can be guaranteed as Minority-Controlled Businesses if a. There should be a greater part (no less than 51%) of the substance’s democratic value held by minority bunch individuals; b. A Minority Group Member holds something like 30% of the Economic Equity of the element; c. Over 49% of the Economic Equity of the element should be claimed by any of the accompanying: (I) a Minority Group Member or (ii) a Professional Institutional Investor; d. Minority Group Members straightforwardly administer or deal with the activities of the substance, as indicated by the MBE status; and e. Minority Group Members comprise most of the Board of Directors or Minority Group Members delegate a greater part of the Board of Directors.

3. An candidate should furnish NMSDC certification REQUIREMENTS with current documentation (or proposed documentation, assuming the exchange of possession is forthcoming) that shows consistence with every one of the standards recorded in 2 above.

4. Applicants for certification as a Minority-Controlled Business should submit executed reports adjusting to the proposed archives when a forthcoming proprietorship move is underway.

5. It stores the right not to confirm any substance that doesn’t meet the models or doesn’t follow the goal of the interaction, which is to ensure just those elements with NMSDC certification requirements that are controlled legitimately and indeed by Minority Group Members.

Now you Can Have your NMSDC Certification Requirements Done Safely

NMSDC provides certification of minorities-controlled businesses to eligible entities that have been certified as MBEs by an NMSDC Regional Affiliate Council (RMSDC) and have the opportunity to obtain equity capital through the issuance of non-voting stock. In order to qualify as a Professional Institutional Investor, one must be (a) involved in equity investments (as opposed to managing businesses) and (b) manage more than $25 million in the capital.

Eligibility criteria:

  1. As a condition of certification as an MBE, the applicant must be certified by an RMSDC, or have had their certification revoked solely for this reason with NMSDC certification requirements. (i) Minority Group Members no longer hold 51% of the company’s stock of equity class or another evidence of ownership (ii) Minority Group Members do not represent 51% of the board of directors (a “Pre-Certified MBE”).
  2. Pre-certified MBEs can be certified as Minority-Controlled Businesses if a. There must be a majority (at least 51%) of the entity’s voting equity held by minority group members; b. A Minority Group Member holds no less than 30% of the Economic Equity of the entity; c. More than 49% of the Economic Equity of the entity must be owned by any of the following: (i) a Minority Group Member or (ii) a Professional Institutional Investor; d. Minority Group Members directly oversee or manage the operations of the entity, according to the MBE status; and e. Minority Group Members constitute the majority of the Board of Directors or Minority Group Members appoint a majority of the Board of Directors.
  3. An applicant must provide NMSDC certification requirements with current documentation (or proposed documentation, if the transfer of ownership is pending) that demonstrates compliance with each of the criteria listed in 2 above.
  4. Applicants for certification as a Minority-Controlled Business must submit executed documents conforming to the proposed documents when a pending ownership transfer is in progress.
  5. It reserves the right not to certify any entity that does not meet the criteria or does not comply with the intent of the process, which is to certify only those entities with NMSDC certification requirements that are controlled legally and in fact by Minority Group Members.

How NMSDC Certification Boosts any Small or Medium Sized Business Firm?

Introduction: The NMSDC certification is one of the top providers in diversity designation amongst the private-sector procurement industry, and it is advantageous for companies attempting to network with buyers in the private sector. In the US, 80% of the corporate dues support NMSDC’s 23 regional affiliate councils. Using the NMSDC database to search for contracts in the private sector is a great start. It is important for a business to emphasize its NMSDC certification in its marketing materials and press releases in order to attract firms looking for minority suppliers.

The NMSDC – National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC), is the organization committed to boost up the Minority Business Enterprises (MBE), both in private and public sector. NMSDC is responsible to provide MBE Certificate to minority-owned businesses. There are number of beneficial sides of having NMSDC certification. As focused below –

  • Members of the corporation and MBEs attend annual orientations
  • Developing a program to support minority suppliers
  • A method to identify and certify minority business enterprises (MBEs)
  •  A referral from a Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) or an introduction by one
  • Affiliate members receive a discount on training programs for minorities’ suppliers
  • Affiliates offer seminar registration discounts and special event discounts
  • Establishing ways to network and communicate
  •  Referral resources are available at Affiliate Information Center
  •  Assistance and support with the distribution of RFPs and bids
  • The NMSDC’s new enhanced online database contains information on all certified MBEs
  • Taking part in industry groups sponsored by NMSDC
  • As a candidate for membership in the NMSDC certification Advanced Practices Group
  • Registered attendees are free to attend the National Program Managers’ Seminar
  • The opportunity to attend the Regional Program Managers’ Seminar
  • Discounts on registration are available for the NMSDC Business Opportunity Exchange
  • The option of exhibiting at the NMSDC’s Business Opportunity Exchange
  • Participants in the Centers of Excellence, Corporate Plus®, and Global Link programs offered by the NMSDC certification
  • Corporate Plus® online directory access

Conclusion: NMSDC Certification is important for a business to emphasize its marketing materials and press releases in order to attract firms looking for minority suppliers.