Benefits of Membership in the 8a Association
For over 20 years the El Paso 8(a) & Government Contractors Association has been dedicated to promoting the development of businesses, by increasing procurement and business opportunities with the Federal, State, City government as well as Prime Contractors and Large Corporations
Membership in the Association is open to all government (add) and non-government contractors, including 8(a), Small Disadvantaged Businesses, Woman-Owned, Minority-Owned, Federal and State HUB, and Service-Disabled Veterans that sell their products and services to large institutional buyers.
Membership is also open to large businesses, business associates, small and small minority business organizations interested and involved in fostering the development of minority businesses to further the goals of the Association.General Membership meetings are held at the El Paso Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, 2401 E. Missouri Ave.
Over the last year, the Association has made great strides toward ensuring the continuation of our vision, which is to continue to encourage and promote the success of our members while also maintaining a strong voice with our federal agencies, prime contractors, and legislators.
The El Paso 8(a) & Government Contractors Association commits to:
Advocating on behalf of its members.
Building Member capacity through education.
Providing access to viable business opportunities.
Facilitating relationships with key partners.
Continue to be recognized as a key partner in contracting.
Your Membership Investment
____ $150.00 Associate Member-Any non-contractor business.
____ $200.00 General Member-Any Government Contractor.
____ $300.00 Corporate Member-Local corporate partners.
But we need your commitment as well, in order for the El Paso 8(a) & Government Contractors Association to remain the influential and effective Association that it is. As a member you receive the following benefits:
Inclusion in El Paso 8(a) & Government Contractors Directory!
Access to members-only Business Xpress Sessions. These sessions bring the procurement officers to you to meet and share your capabilities with.
Informative monthly sessions, training events, and expos!
An opportunity to be involved in Legislative advocacy that affects your business.
A link to the El Paso 8(a) and Government Contractors website.
Notification of Invitations to Bid from various agencies.
Access to 8(a) and National 8(a) members-only events.
8(a) & Gov. Contractors Association 2024 Goals/Initiatives
Our 2024 Priorities!
Goal #1! Publish a membership list and encourage networking & business relationships between 8a Association members.
Small Prime Contractors – Subcontractors – Material Suppliers – Bankers – Bonding & Insurance – IT Support – Accounting – Business Coaching
Marketing Publications – Website Development
Construction Site Security
Goal #2! Encourage sharing “lessons learned” from the 8a Association members – especially board members.
Goal #3! Utilize board members as speakers at General Membership Meetings, in addition to outside speakers.
Goal #4! Include a segment at each General Membership meeting focusing on the actual 8a Certification. The first meeting we can discuss applying for the certification, second to discuss the “Development Stage” (first four years of the program) and annual reviews, third to discuss the “Transition Stage” (last five years of the program), and finally to discuss process, once you graduate from the program.
Quarter 1 – Applying for the 8(a) Certification
Quarter 2 – Development Stage (first four years of the program)
Quarter 3 – Transition Stage (last five years of the program)
Quarter 4 – Graduating from the Program
Goal #5 Prioritize winning federal contracts! Focus on marketing your business to the federal government. How to obtain 8a contracts. Who to get in front of. Online requirements for SAM.GOV and Certify.sba.gov, the DSBS system, CPARS Reviews, capabilities statements.
Goal #6! Formulate a list of contracting agencies including contact info for their small business liaisons / contracting officers at each military installation in close proximity to El Paso. (MICC, DPW, USACE Fort Worth, USACE ABQ District, GSA, IBWC, Holloman AFB, Holloman 49th Civil Engineering Squadron, LRAM, New Mexico Military Ranges: Dona Ana Base Camp, Orogrande Base Camp, McGregor Base Camp, etc.)
Goal #7! Ensure that 8a Association members continue to market the 8a Association and the benefits of all Small Business Certifications (Commercial, State and Federal).
Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB)
Women-Owned Small Business Federal Contract Program (WOSB & EDWOSB)
Veteran Contracting Assistance Programs (VOSB, SDVOSB)
8(a) Business Development Program
HUBZone Program
Disadvantaged Business Entity (DBE)
SBA Mentor-Protégé Program
Joint Ventures
Goal #8! Preparing the next generation of Business Development Specialists for careers with government contractors.
Goal #9! Plan and coordinate Advocacy Meetings with Fort Bliss and the National 8a Association throughout the year, and participate as you can
Goal #10! Hold Industry Briefings with Holloman, Dyess AFB and Cannon AFB for Association members.
Dear El Paso 8a & Government Contractors Association Members and Prospective members,
My name is Michael Sambrano, Co-Founder and C.E.O. of Gracen Engineering & Construction, Inc. It is my absolute honor and pleasure to serve as the 2024 President of the Board of the El Paso 8(a) & Government Contractors Association. Gracen is currently in its third year of the 8(a) Certification Program and we have come a long way since we first became members of the Association in 2020.
The accumulated knowledge of the Association has amply prepared us and given us the confidence we need to succeed in this industry. This year, as President, I intend to lead from the perspective of a small business owner – prioritizing discussions, trainings, and developing professional contacts which we hope will directly contribute to the growth and success of all association members.
General Membership Meetings:
Our quarterly General Membership Meetings will focus on the 8(a) Certification itself – beginning with applying for the 8(a) Certification, followed by the Development Stage (first four years of the program), the Transition Stage (last five years of the program), and finally business after exiting the program.
Quarterly Training Topics:
For this year we have selected excellent training topics based on the results of the training survey we sent out at the beginning of the year. The following will be the quarterly training topics provided this year:
• Government Contracting – The Basics
• Marketing your Business to the Federal Government
• Government Contracting – Advanced Topics
• DCAA Audits & Certified Payroll
8(a) Association Members:
Finally, this year we intend to encourage networking and business relationships between our association members. Many people are surprised to learn the membership roster is not only made up of prime contractors or subcontractors, but also includes material suppliers, bankers, bonding and insurance companies, IT support, accounting, business coaching, marketing publications, website development, and even construction site security. As members, we should take advantage of each other’s experience and lessons learned.
On behalf of the El Paso 8(a) & Government Contractors Association, we thank you for your continued interest and support. We are very much looking forward to growing with you in 2024!
Sincerely,
Michael Sambrano, P.E.
Co-Founder & CEO of Gracen Engineering & Construction, Inc.
2024 President of the Board – El Paso 8(a) & Government Contractors Association
915-228-2298 | 915-920-9515
m.sambrano@gracenconstruction.com
www.gracenconstruction.com
2024 Membership Application
My involvement with the El Paso 8A and Government Contractors Association has been very constructive and inspirational as this Associations strives to provide its members all the tools and education it can access nationwide. This past year, there were very good presenters from all over the United States which gave me a member a well-rounded overview of how to work with the government successfully.
MICHAEL J. WHITE
CPA - Carr, Riggs & Ingram
Our business has come a long way since we first became members of the association. We went from knowing very little about the 8(a) Program to successfully obtaining our 8(a) Certification within two years of membership. The accumulated knowledge of the association as a whole has amply prepared us and given us the confidence we need to work with the federal government.
