Overview of Government Contracting 8(a)

The government works to make sure small businesses get at least twenty-three percent of all federal contracting dollars. Additionally, the government tries to award a certain percentage of all federal prime contracting dollars to small businesses that meet certain socio-economic conditions. The SBA provides several programs to help small businesses win federal contracts. Participating in these programs helps small businesses:

• Win a fair share of federal contracts
• Qualify for exclusive set-aside and sole-source contracts
• Partner with established contractors to win contracts
• Get business mentoring and education to learn how federal contracting works

About the Presenter:

Gabrielle Coner, Business Opportunity Specialist is the newest member of the Michigan District Office of the U.S. Small Business Administration as of December 2019. Gabrielle has delivered numerous presentations on government contracting. She is well-versed in SBA programs to help small businesses win federal contracts.

She has a diverse background, including three degrees; an Associate's degree in Criminal Justice and Corrections from Wayne County Community College District;  a Bachelor's degree in Public Safety Administration from Eastern Michigan University and a Master's degree in Public Administration with a concentration in Local Government Management. Gabrielle is currently working on her fourth degree which is a Master's in Criminal Justice and Criminology at the University of Michigan Dearborn – Campus and will graduate in April 2021.

Gabrielle has also been a federal government employee since 2016, previously with the Department of Homeland Security.

The Manufacturing Growth Alliance (MGA) is a membership-based organization that provides services to help manufacturers build smart, lead strong, and establish a pathway for future growth. MGA’s services drive solutions that will make manufacturing in Michigan the most competitive and prosperous in the nation. MGAlliance.org.