2026 Pacesetters | Doing Business with the Federal Government

Come learn about key programs, certifications, and resources available under the SBA umbrella to help your business compete and succeed in government contracting.

This session will provide an overview of the SBA’s 8(a) Business Development Program, including how 8(a) certification qualifies eligible businesses to compete for both sole-source and competitive set‑aside contracts. Participants will learn about current contract thresholds, including sole-source awards of up to $8.5 million for manufacturing NAICS codes and $5.5 million for all other acquisitions.

In addition, the session will cover how to identify and pursue subcontracting opportunities, including using the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS)—the central repository for federal contracting data—to research past awards and potential partners.

Attendees will also gain insight into:

• What it means to get federally certified and whether certification is right for your business
• How to connect with the right SBA and resource partners for ongoing support
• Training opportunities through Govology and other platforms
• Opportunities to network with Contracting Officers and Supplier Diversity Officers

…and much more.

This event is ideal for small businesses interested in entering or expanding within the federal contracting space and learning how to leverage available resources to grow strategically.