8(a) Certified
Procure Mission-Ready AI:
Government-focused AI Solutions Through SBA 8(a)
Accelerate delivery. Stay compliant.
Coa Solutions is an 8(a)-certified small business trusted by Veterans Affairs, IRS and other agencies to build AI-powered digital solutions. Leveraging the SBA 8(a) Business Development Program, agencies can move from validated need to funded, on-contract AI in weeks—not the 12- to 18-month RFP cycle typical of large competitive awards.
Why 8(a) Is the Fastest Path to AI
| BENEFIT | WHAT IT MEANS FOR YOU |
|---|---|
| Sole-source up to $4.5 M | Contracting officers may award non-manufacturing requirements directly to a single 8(a) firm when the total value (incl. options) is ≤ $4.5 M |
| Streamlined competition | Above $4.5 M, you may still use 8(a) competitive set-aside with as few as two qualified offers |
| Expanded ceiling with J&A | When mission urgency demands, sole-source 8(a) awards can exceed $25 M with an approved FAR 6.303 justification |
| Meets SDB goals | Awards credit toward Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB) targets, helping agencies hit the 5% SDB goal |
| Proven digital-service playbook | TechFAR Hub's 8(a) Digital Service Initiative shows how agencies shorten procurement lead-times while piloting modern AI development methods |
How the 8(a) Pipeline Works with Coa Solutions
1. Confirm Requirement & Market Research
- Define the AI capability (e.g., agentic code review, predictive analytics).
- Use SBA's Dynamic Small Business Search (DSBS) to document 8(a) suitability
2. Issue an "Offering Letter" to SBA
- Email your district Business Opportunity Specialist (BOS) a brief scope, estimated value, and Coa's SAM UEID/CAGE.
- BOS typically responds within 1–3 business days.
3. SBA Acceptance
- BOS returns an acceptance memo; the requirement is now reserved for Coa Solutions.
4. Negotiate & Award
- Agency and Coa finalize price & terms (FAR 19.806 / 19.807).
- Contracting officer signs the award—often within 5-15 business days of initial contact
5. Kick-off & Delivery
- Our Agentic Development Framework spins up autonomous test environments instantly, providing real-time visibility from day one
Typical Timeline
| DAY | MILESTONE |
|---|---|
| 0 | CO completes market research memo, emails offering letter |
| 1-3 | SBA acceptance |
| 4-10 | Pricing & IGCE alignment |
| 11-15 | Contract award / Coa mobilizes |
Procurement Path Comparison
| FEATURE | SDVOSB | 8(A) | FULL & OPEN |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sole-Source Ceiling | $7M (mfg) / $4M (other) | $4.5M | N/A |
| Typical Award Time | 11-15 days | 11-15 days | 120-180 days |
| SBA Involvement | None | Required | None |
| Competition Required | No (if only one) | No (under $4.5M) | Yes |
| Agency Goal Credit | 3% SDVOSB | 5% SDB | None |
Ready to Accelerate Your AI Procurement?
Let Coa Solutions guide you through the 8(a) procurement process for mission-ready AI solutions that deliver results in weeks, not months.