What Would SBA's Proposed 8(a) Social Disadvantage Rule Change in 2026?
SBA's June 11, 2026 proposal would replace race-based presumptions in 8(a) eligibility with individualized proof of social disadvantage, changing who qualifies and how firms document it.
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•8 min readWhat Is SBA's Proposed 8(a) Social Disadvantage Rule Change and Who Does It Affect?
What is SBA's proposed 8(a) social disadvantage rule change?
SBAFederal Register
According to SBA’s June 11, 2026 proposal and the Federal Register notice, the agency would overhaul the 8(a) eligibility test by requiring an individualized showing of social disadvantage instead of relying on race-based presumptions. The change affects new applicants, renewing participants, and firms building the documentation they need for recertification under 13 CFR part 124.