Reforms To Remove SBA's 8(a) Program's Rebuttable Presumption of Social Disadvantage for Individually Owned Firms Only; Reforms Do Not Impact Entity-Owned Firms

What it does

The U.S. Small Business Administration ("SBA" or "Agency") proposes to amend its regulations to align the Section 8(a) Business Development Program (8(a) BD program) with constitutional requirements and the law. The proposed rule applies only to the 8(a) BD eligibility of small businesses owned and controlled by individuals. It does not in any way amend or affect the eligibility of entity-owned small businesses (i.e., those owned by tribes, Alaska Native Corporations, Native Hawaiian Organizations, or Community Development Corporations). Specifically, the proposed rule would amend SBA's regulations to remove the rebuttable presumption that individuals belonging to certain designated groups are socially disadvantaged and set forth revised standards for individuals establishing social disadvantage.

The Small Business Administration's summary, as published in the Federal Register.

What it would change

1 part of Title 13 of the Code of Federal Regulations:

13 CFR 124

Before this

No earlier Federal Register document under regulation identifier 3245-AI75 since Jan. 1, 2025.

Since then:

• Aug. 11, 2026 Final rule. Reforms to 13 CFR 124.103 To Remove SBA's 8(a) Program's Rebuttable Presumption of Social Disadvantage for Individually Owned Firms Only. Reforms Do Not Impact Entity-Owned Firms

What happens next and when

Comments must be received on or before July 13, 2026.

The agency's dates, word for word.

Check it yourself

• The document in the Federal Register
• Docket SBA-2026-0133 on Regulations.gov
• Title 13 on eCFR

The record as published

Source: the Federal Register (public domain). The document in the Federal Register