124.204—How does SBA process applications for 8(a) BD program admission?
(a)
The AA/BD is authorized to approve or decline applications for admission to the 8(a) BD program. The appropriate DPCE field office will receive, review and evaluate all 8(a) BD applications except those from ANC-owned applicants. SBA's Anchorage District Office will receive all applications from ANC-owned applicants and review them for completeness before sending them to the AA/BD for further processing. The appropriate field office will advise each program applicant within 15 days after the receipt of an application whether the application is complete and suitable for evaluation and, if not, what additional information or clarification is required to complete the application. SBA will process an application for 8(a) BD program participation within 90 days of receipt of a complete application package by the DPCE field office. Incomplete application packages will not be processed.
(b)
SBA, in its sole discretion, may request clarification of information contained in the application at any time in the application process. SBA will take into account any clarifications made by an applicant in response to a request for such by SBA.
(c)
An applicant concern's eligibility will be based on circumstances existing on the date of application, except where clarification is made pursuant to paragraph (b) of this section or as provided in paragraph (d) of this section.
(d)
Changed circumstances for an applicant concern occurring subsequent to its application and which adversely affect eligibility will be considered and may constitute grounds for decline. The applicant must inform SBA of any changed circumstances that could adversely affect its eligibility for the program (particularly economic disadvantage and ownership and control) during its application review. Failure to inform SBA of any such changed circumstances constitutes good cause for which SBA may terminate the Participant if non-compliance is discovered after admittance.
(e)
The decision of the AA/BD to approve or deny an application will be in writing. A decision to deny admission will state the specific reasons for denial, and will inform the applicant of any appeal rights.
(f)
If the AA/BD approves the application, the date of the approval letter is the date of program certification for purposes of determining the concern's program term.