One of the goals of the 8(a) program is to allow non-8(a) contractors to expand their scope of services. Therefore, the 8(a) contractor is permitted, with approval of the SBA, to subcontract a portion of this work to other qualified firms. While subcontracting is restricted to maintain the integrity of the program as an opportunity for disadvantaged businesses, subcontracting limits can be as high as 85 percent, depending on the industry. Contractors develop valuable relationships, while the client benefits from a qualified, experienced, well-rounded team.

EWS as sole-source

Any federal agency can identify work especially suited for an 8(a) firm and can set-aside the project without advertising in FedBizOpps. This allows the Federal Agency to directly award a professional service contract to this 8(a) firm without lengthy contracting delays.

If this option is chosen, the steps typically followed are:
1. The project manager or interested party identifies a statement of work, prepares a government estimate and earmarks funds.
2. The agency chooses EWS to perform the work

An authorization to negotiate is obtained from the SBA by filling out a Small Business Coordination Record form. The interested party may consult with their Small Business Program Office and/or the contracting office in order to complete the Business Coordination Record or a Procurement Request Form, depending on the agency. Federal departments have different forms; for example, the DOD and its agencies use DD Form 2579..

Sole-Source IDIQ for EWS

When an agency finds an 8(a) company that they would like to utilize on a regular basis, the agency might choose to award a sole-source Security Services IDIQ (Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity) contract. Preparation of this IDIQ is very cost-effective for the agency as it minimizes the length of time involved in contracting out individual task orders and it is not as costly and time-consuming to award as a competitive IDIQ. This type of contracting mechanism can be awarded very much like the sole-source contracts described above.

BOA with EWS

A BOA (Basic Order Agreement) can also be awarded on a sole-source basis under the 8(a) program. A BOA is a written instrument of understanding, negotiated between an agency, contracting activity, or contracting office and a contractor, that contains the following items:
1. Terms and clauses applying to future contracts (orders) between the parties during its term.
2. A description, as specific as practicable, of supplies or services to be provided.
3. Methods for pricing, issuing, and delivering future orders under the Basic Ordering