8(a) Eligibility Pre-Screener
Answer the questions below to see if PENNOLA may qualify for the SBA 8(a) Business Development Program. This is a preliminary check — final determination is made by the SBA.
Answer all questions and click Check My Eligibility to see your results.
SBA 8(a) Business Development Program
A 9-year federal program giving certified businesses access to sole-source and set-aside government contracts. Data sourced from SBA.gov (updated March 19, 2026).
Program Duration
9 years total: 4-year developmental stage + 5-year transitional stage. Cannot reapply once certified.
Sole-Source Thresholds
Janitorial services (non-manufacturing): up to $4.5 million per contract without competitive bidding. Manufacturing: up to $7 million.
Set-Aside Competitions
Compete exclusively against other 8(a) firms for federal contracts above the sole-source threshold. Dramatically reduces competition pool.
Mentor-Protégé Program
Pair with an experienced federal contractor for business development support, joint ventures, and guidance navigating federal contracts.
Business Development
Access SBA-sponsored training, counseling, marketing assistance, and executive education to grow your business during the 9-year term.
Where to Apply
Apply at certifications.sba.gov. Must also be registered in SAM.gov. Application is free — beware of scam services charging fees.
8(a) Application Roadmap for PENNOLA
Register in SAM.gov
Create an account at sam.gov. Enter PENNOLA's legal business name, EIN, NAICS code (561720), and banking information. Registration is free and renews annually.
Obtain DUNS / UEI Number
SAM.gov will assign a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). This replaces the old DUNS number and is required for all federal contracting.
Gather Documentation
Collect: 3 years of tax returns, business financial statements, articles of incorporation/LLC, ownership documents, personal financial statements, resume demonstrating social disadvantage narrative.
Apply at certifications.sba.gov
Create account, complete online application, upload all documents. The SBA reviews for completeness then conducts eligibility analysis. Average processing: 90 days.
Contact Louisiana SBA District Office
New Orleans District Office serves southeastern Louisiana. Work with a Business Opportunity Specialist (BOS) assigned to your case for personalized guidance.
Begin Bidding on Contracts
Search for janitorial service opportunities on sam.gov/search and beta.sam.gov. Filter by NAICS 561720 and "8(a) set-aside" or "sole-source" designations.
SBA Loan Programs
Government-backed loans with lower rates and longer terms than conventional business loans. Use for startup costs, working capital, equipment, and expansion.
SBA 7(a) Loan
- Use: Working capital, equipment, real estate, debt refinancing
- Term: Up to 10 years (working capital), 25 years (real estate)
- Rate: Prime + 2.25% to 4.75% (variable) — currently ~10–13%
- Guarantee: SBA guarantees 85% (loans ≤$150K) or 75% (loans >$150K)
- Best for PENNOLA: Hiring staff, vehicle fleet, cleaning equipment, initial working capital
SBA 504 Loan
- Use: Fixed assets — commercial real estate, major equipment
- Term: 10, 20, or 25 years
- Rate: Below-market fixed rate set by SBA
- Structure: 50% bank + 40% SBA Certified Development Company + 10% owner
- Best for PENNOLA: Purchasing a commercial facility or specialized equipment later in growth
SBA Microloan
- Use: Working capital, inventory, supplies, furniture, fixtures, machinery
- Term: Up to 6 years
- Rate: 8–13% typically
- Provider: Nonprofit microlenders — often include free training
- Best for PENNOLA: Early-stage startup supplies, uniforms, initial cleaning equipment
Community Advantage Loan
- Use: Working capital, equipment, real estate in underserved markets
- Term: Up to 10 years
- Rate: Prime + up to 6%
- Focus: Mission-based lenders serving underserved communities
- Best for PENNOLA: New Orleans-based lenders prioritizing minority business owners
Quick Loan Comparison
| Program | Max Amount | Best Use | Max Term | Priority for PENNOLA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7(a) | $5,000,000 | Working capital, equipment, hiring | 10–25 yrs | HIGH |
| 504 | $5,500,000 | Real estate, major equipment | 25 yrs | MEDIUM |
| Microloan | $50,000 | Startup supplies, inventory | 6 yrs | HIGH (early stage) |
| Community Advantage | $350,000 | Underserved market working capital | 10 yrs | MEDIUM |
SAM.gov Registration Guide
System for Award Management (SAM.gov) registration is mandatory to receive any federal contract or SBA program benefit. Registration is free and must be renewed annually.
📋 What You'll Need for SAM.gov
- ☐ Business Legal Name: PENNOLA (exactly as on EIN)
- ☐ Employer Identification Number (EIN)
- ☐ CAGE Code (assigned during SAM registration)
- ☐ Primary NAICS Code: 561720 — Janitorial Services
- ☐ Business physical address (Louisiana)
- ☐ Bank account & routing number (EFT payment setup)
- ☐ Business type designation (LLC, Corp, etc.)
- ☐ Socio-economic designations (woman-owned, minority-owned, veteran, etc.)
- ☐ Point of contact information
- ☐ login.gov account (required for SSO access)
⚙️ SAM.gov Registration Steps
- Create a login.gov account at login.gov (federal SSO)
- Go to sam.gov and sign in with login.gov credentials
- Select Register Entity → Choose "Federal Assistance Awards & Contracts"
- Enter EIN and verify with IRS (takes up to 2 days)
- Complete Core Data: business info, addresses, financial contacts
- Complete Assertions: NAICS codes, EDI info, goods/services offered
- Complete Representations & Certifications (legal compliance questions)
- Submit and wait for Active status (typically 3–10 business days)
- Renew registration every 12 months to remain eligible
NAICS & NIGP Codes for PENNOLA
Industry classification codes are required for SAM.gov registration, SBA certifications, and bidding on government contracts at federal, state, and local levels.
NAICS: Janitorial Services
The primary North American Industry Classification code for commercial, industrial, and residential cleaning services. Use this for all federal SAM.gov and SBA filings.
NAICS: Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning
Secondary code if PENNOLA expands to carpet cleaning services.
NAICS: Other Services to Buildings
Use for window cleaning, exterior building maintenance, pressure washing.
NIGP: Custodial & Janitorial Services
Nigp commodity code used for Louisiana state and local government contract bidding through the Louisiana Procurement and Contract Network (LaPAC).
NIGP: Facilities Maintenance Services
Secondary Louisiana state procurement code for broader facilities maintenance contracts.
PSC: Custodial/Housekeeping Services
Product & Service Code (PSC) used to identify janitorial contracts in SAM.gov federal contract database when searching for opportunities.
Official Government Resources
Bookmark these official portals. All links go directly to government websites (.gov domains).
certifications.sba.gov
Official SBA certification portal — apply for 8(a), WOSB, HUBZone status here. Free to use.
Open Portal →SAM.gov
System for Award Management — required for all federal contracts. Register entity, search opportunities, manage registration.
Open Portal →SBA Lender Match
Free SBA tool that matches you with approved 7(a) lenders in Louisiana who are actively lending to small businesses.
Find Lenders →8(a) Program Info
Official SBA 8(a) Business Development Program page with eligibility, application requirements, and program details.
Learn More →SBA Louisiana District
New Orleans SBA District Office — get local counseling, meet your Business Opportunity Specialist, attend free workshops.
Find Office →SCORE Mentors
Free business mentoring from retired executives. New Orleans SCORE chapter provides local guidance for SBA applications and growth.
Find Mentor →Louisiana PTAC
Procurement Technical Assistance Center — free one-on-one help with government contracting, registration, and bid preparation in Louisiana.
Get Help →LaPAC
Louisiana Procurement & Contract Network — register to receive automatic state contract bid notifications for janitorial services.
Register →