What criteria must a business meet to remain eligible to participate in the 8(a) BD program?

(a) Standards. In order for a concern to remain eligible for 8(a) BD program participation, it must continue to meet all eligibility criteria. The concern must inform SBA in writing of any changes in circumstances which would adversely affect its program eligibility, especially economic disadvantage and ownership and control. Any concern that fails to meet the eligibility requirements after being admitted to the program will be subject to termination or early graduation.

(b) Submissions supporting continued eligibility. As part of an annual review, each Participant must annually submit to the servicing district office the following:

(1) A certification that it meets the 8(a) BD program eligibility requirements.
(2) A certification that there have been no changed circumstances which could adversely affect the Participant's program eligibility. If the Participant is unable to provide such certification, the Participant must inform SBA of any changes and provide relevant supporting documentation.
(3) Personal financial information for each disadvantaged owner;

(4) A record from each individual claiming disadvantaged status regarding the transfer of assets for less than fair market value to any immediate family member, or to a trust any beneficiary of which is an immediate family member, within two years of the date of the annual review. The record must provide the name of the recipient(s) and family relationship, and the difference between the fair market value of the asset transferred and the value received by the disadvantaged individual.

(5) A record of all payments, compensation, and distributions (including loans, advances, salaries and dividends) made by the Participant to each of its owners, officers or directors, or to any person or entity affiliated with such individuals;

(6) If it is an approved protege, a narrative report detailing the contacts it has had with its mentor and benefits it has received from the mentor/protege relationship.

(7) IRS Form 4506, Request for Copy or Transcript of Tax Form; and

(8) Such other information as SBA may deem necessary.

(c) Eligibility reviews.

(1) Upon receipt of specific and credible information alleging that a Participant no longer meets the eligibility requirements for continued program eligibility, SBA will review the concern's eligibility for continued participation in the program.
(2) Sufficient reasons for SBA to conclude that a socially disadvantaged individual is no longer economically disadvantaged include, but are not limited to, excessive withdrawals of funds or other assets withdrawn from the concern by its owners, or substantial personal assets, income or net worth of any disadvantaged owner. SBA may also consider access by the Participant firm to a significant new source of capital or loans since the financial condition of the Participant is considered in evaluating the disadvantaged individual's economic status.

(d) Excessive withdrawals.

(1) The term withdrawal includes, but is not limited to, the following: officer's salary; cash dividends; distributions in excess of amounts needed to pay S Corporation taxes; cash and property withdrawals; bonuses; loans; advances; payments to immediate family members; investments on behalf of an owner, officer, or key employee; acquisition of a business not merged with the 8(a) Participant; charitable contributions; and speculative ventures.

(2) If SBA determines that excessive funds or other assets have been withdrawn from the Participant, SBA may:

(i) Initiate termination proceedings where the withdrawals detrimentally affect the achievement of the Participant's targets, objectives and goals set forth in its business plan, or its overall business development;
(ii) Initiate early graduation proceedings where the withdrawals do not adversely affect the Participant's business development; or
(iii) Require an appropriate reinvestment of funds or other assets, as well as any other actions SBA deems necessary to counteract the detrimental effects of the withdrawals, as a condition of the Participant maintaining program eligibility.

(3) Withdrawals are excessive if during any fiscal year of the Participant they exceed

(i) $150,000 for firms with sales up to $1,000,000;
(ii) $200,000 for firms with sales between $1,000,000 and $2,000,000; and
(iii) $300,000 for firms with sales over $2,000,000.

(4) The fact that a concern's net worth has increased despite withdrawals that are deemed excessive will not preclude SBA from determining that such withdrawals were detrimental to the attainment of the concern's business objectives or to its overall business development.

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