SBA Releases Clarifying Guidance on 8(a) Program's Social Disadvantage Component

Effective on January 22, 2026 SBA No Longer Using "Social Disadvantage Narratives, Nor the 'Guide for Demonstrating Social Disadvantage'"

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On January 22, 2026, the SBA published a guidance document, “SUBJECT: 8(a) Program Mandate.” From the Release:

Today, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) issued formal guidance to SBA program officials reiterating, in alignment with policy changes implemented by Administrator Kelly Loeffler last year, that race-based discr…