Review 08-16: Acceptance of VBP Group Into the 8(a) Program and Subsequent Contract Award by SBA

This report presents the results of our review of VBP Group’s acceptance into the 8(a) program and SBA’s contract award to VBP for training services.  We conducted the review in response to former Administrator Steven Preston’s February 8, 2008, request for an investigation into the certification of VBP as an 8(a) company when it had not been in business for the required 2 years, and the subsequent award of a $1.2 million sole-source contract to VBP to run an SBA national training program for entrepreneurs.  His request was based on concerns raised by the Chairwoman of the House Committee on Small Business about the speed with which SBA processed the certification and contract for VBP.