Wyoming Biz Tips for July

An occasional look at issues facing Wyoming business owners and entrepreneurs from the Wyoming Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network, a collection of business assistance programs at the University of Wyoming.

By Tierra Price, procurement specialist, Wyoming APEX Accelerator

If your business qualifies for a Small Business Administration (SBA) certification, it can be a valuable tool for growing your government contracting opportunities. Certifications, such as 8(a), women-owned small business, HUBZone-certified small business, veteran-owned small business and service-disabled veteran-owned small business are designed to help eligible businesses compete by increasing visibility and creating access to certain opportunities called set-asides.

Keep in mind that SBA certifications are designed specifically for federal contracting opportunities. While they can be a powerful tool in the federal marketplace, they do not provide advantages for state, local or private-sector contracts.

Benefits of SBA Certifications

While each certification offers different advantages, some of the most common benefits include:

-- Access to contracts that are set aside exclusively for certified small businesses.

-- Increased visibility with contracting officers and government buyers.

-- Greater opportunities to compete for sole-source and limited competition awards.

-- A competitive advantage when marketing your business to government agencies and prime contractors.

That said, earning a certification is just the beginning. The businesses that see the greatest success are the ones that actively use their certification as part of a broader government contracting strategy.

Making the Most of Your Certification

Here are a few ways to maximize the benefits of your certification. They are:

-- Market your business. Use your certification as a conversation starter when meeting with contracting officers, prime contractors and procurement staff.

-- Showcase your certification. Include your certification on your capability statement, website, marketing materials and SAM.gov profile. SAM.gov (System Award Management) is the official, free U.S. government website where businesses, nonprofits and government entities must register to bid on official contracts, apply for federal grants and receive government payments.

-- Pursue opportunities consistently. Continue monitoring contracting opportunities and submitting competitive proposals. Your certification can help open doors, but it's your preparation and persistence that help win contracts.

-- Keep it current. Stay on top of renewals and required documentation so that you don't lose the benefits you've worked to earn.

An SBA certification can help your business stand out in a competitive marketplace. But it's most effective when paired with consistent marketing, relationship building and a proactive approach to pursuing opportunities. When used strategically, your certification can become a powerful tool in growing your government contracting success.

Are You Eligible?

Eligibility requirements vary depending on the certification, but most programs consider factors such as business size ownership, control and, in some cases, the owner's personal or business circumstances. If you're unsure whether your business qualifies, don't guess. Reviewing the requirements before you apply can save time and help ensure you're pursuing the certifications that best fit your business. Contact a Wyoming APEX Accelerator team member to help you determine which certifications may be the right fit for you and guide you through the application process.

The Wyoming SBDC Network offers no-cost advising and technical assistance to help Wyoming entrepreneurs think about, launch, grow, reinvent or exit their business. In 2025, the Wyoming SBDC Network helped Wyoming entrepreneurs start 42 new businesses; support 2,017 jobs; and bring a capital impact of $12.8 million to the state. The Wyoming SBDC Network is hosted by UW with state funds from the Wyoming Business Council and funded, in part, through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. SBA. Full funding disclosures are available at https://www.wyomingsbdc.org/about.

To ask a question, call 1-800-348-5194, email [email protected] or write Dept. 3922, 1000 E. University Ave., Laramie, WY 82071-3922.

For more information, go to https://www.wyomingsbdc.org.

All opinions, conclusions, and/or recommendations expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA.