SBA extends small biz partnership

The Defense Department will be able to award 8(a) contracts to small businesses on behalf of the Small Business Administration for an additional year.

The Defense Department and SBA have had a partnership since February 2002 that lets the Defense Department award the contracts. The partnership extension is effective through Sept. 30, 2005, according to a Federal Register notice.

SBA's 8(a) business development program is designed to help small, disadvantaged companies grow their businesses and compete in the federal marketplace.