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About the 8(a) Center of Excellence

About Us

The Center of Excellence for 8(a) Government Contracting, established through a dynamic partnership between Bowie State University (BSU) and Bowie Business Innovation Center (Bowie BIC), will serve as a national model for capacity building among 8(a) firms and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). This innovative initiative will expand the proven Bowie BIC 8(a) Accelerator Program, scaling its impact across America’s HBCU network to foster sustainable growth, collaboration, and excellence in federal government contracting.

The 8(a) COE exposes and engages 8(a) companies and HBCUs to best practices, training, and business support that equips, elevates, and expands a government contractor’s infrastructure and capacity to win federal contracts.

Empowering 8(a) Firms and HBCUs

The Center will focus on equipping 8(a) firms and HBCUs with the tools, training, and resources needed to excel in federal contracting by offering:

  • Procurement Capture Strategy Training: Comprehensive guidance on identifying, pursuing, and winning federal contracts.
  • 8(a) Mentorship Programs: Pairing experienced 8(a) firms with emerging businesses and HBCUs to share best practices and accelerate growth.
  • Access to Market Intelligence Tools: Providing commercial online platforms to enhance federal contracting research and competitive analysis.
  • Legal Expertise: Facilitating access to specialized government contracting legal counsel to support compliance and mitigate risks.
  • Student Internships and Faculty Research Opportunities: Creating avenues for experiential learning and advancing research in contracting practices, driving innovation and workforce development.

Leveraging BSU’s robust data analytics capabilities, the Center will also function as a clearinghouse for best practices in 8(a) government contracting, enabling the continuous improvement and dissemination of effective strategies.

Strengthening HBCU Capacity

The Center is committed to fortifying the infrastructure of HBCUs as vital hubs of government contracting excellence by:

  • Developing a Diverse and Inclusive Ecosystem: Building a strong, innovative contracting infrastructure that aligns with the priorities of federal agencies and appeals to private sector capital investments.
  • Driving Economic Growth: Generating new jobs, fostering wealth creation, and stimulating economic development in the communities served by HBCUs.
  • Attracting Private Sector Capital: Enhancing the credibility and visibility of HBCUs in government contracting, creating opportunities for long-term financial sustainability.

A Catalyst for Change

The Center of Excellence will not only elevate the competitiveness of 8(a) firms but also position HBCUs as strategic partners in the federal marketplace. By fostering collaboration, innovation, and capacity building, the Center will create a lasting impact, enabling a new generation of successful government contractors and empowering communities nationwide.

Partner. Pursue. Prosper.

The 8(a) COE helps 8(a) firms and HBCUs accelerate growth through federal procurement. SBA information indicates that as many as 80% of the minority, women-owned and veteran-owned business certified as 8(a) businesses may be out of business within 24 months of graduating from its 8(a) program. Therefore, the majority of 8(a) businesses do not develop sustainable business practices and relationships to grow financially while they participated in the 8(a) program. This also means that the communities where 8(a) firms operate are dramatically affected by the loss of these existing companies, as well as jobs, tax revenues, leases for office space, and the economic vitality they generate.

The 8(a) COE uses best practices from the 8(a) Accelerator to address the training, networking, resources, and infrastructure gaps that organizations lack with traditional consulting services.  

The 8(a) COE uses best practices from the 8(a) Accelerator to address the training, networking, resources, and infrastructure gaps that organizations lack with traditional consulting services

 

The 8(a) COE partners with Justis Connections and other legal resources, connecting businesses with top-rated attorneys across the country.

 

A successful foundation in federal procurement is developing a strong procurement capture strategy when pursuing contracts.  The 8(a) COE assists 8(a) firms and HBCUs with understanding the procurement lifecycle, business capture planning, research, and acquisition strategy.

 

The 8(a) COE supports 8(a) firms and HBCUs with identifying and tracking federal procurement opportunities.

 

The 8(a) COE is a place where HBCUs and 8(a) firms can collaborate to pursue federal procurement opportunities that advance efforts in research and development, entrepreneurship, and workforce development. The 8(a) COE will assist participants with Identifying mentors and cultivating mentoring relationships.

 

Benefits for 8(a) Firms
  • Access to Capacity-building Resources

  • Collaboration Opportunities

  • New Federal Funding Sources

  • Mentoring and Coaching

Benefits for HBCUs
  • Funding and Partnership Opportunities

  • Expanded Pipelines and Internship for Students

  • Increase Capacity to Compete

  • Access to Resources

  • Visibility and Leadership

Get Started

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Meet the Team

June Evans

June Evans

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
June Evans

Crystal Clark

OPERATIONS DIRECTOR

Angie Duncanson

PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Jordan Young

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

Program Partners

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