Newark, NJ – June 23, 2023 – Sabre88 is proud to announce its official certification as a HUBZone (Historically Underutilized Business Zone) enterprise. This esteemed certification positions Sabre88 for enhanced growth opportunities, increased competitiveness, and the ability to make a significant economic impact within the designated HUBZone areas.
The HUBZone program, has been designed by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), to promote economic development by empowering small businesses located in historically underutilized zones. The HUBZone certification allows Sabre88 to procure government contracts as a HUBZone certified company and contribute to the economic revitalization of our HUBZone’s. From the SBA’s website, “The HUBZone program fuels small business growth in historically underutilized business zones with a goal of awarding at least 3% of federal contract dollars to HUBZone-certified companies each year.”
With the HUBZone certification, Sabre88 gains a competitive edge in securing federal government contracts. The government limits competition for certain contracts to businesses in historically underutilized business zones. From the SBA’s website “It also gives preferential consideration to those businesses in full and open competition… HUBZone-certified businesses also get a 10% price evaluation preference in full and open contract competitions.” Federal agencies are mandated to allocate a percentage of their contracts to HUBZone-certified businesses, to stimulate growth in these historically underutilized business zones. This positions Sabre88 for increased visibility and opportunities in the procurement process.
Furthermore, as a HUBZone-certified enterprise, Sabre88 is eligible for sole-source contracts per FAR 19.1306 HUBZone sole-source awards. In specific cases where Sabre88 is deemed the sole qualified HUBZone business capable of fulfilling the contract requirements, the contract can be directly awarded without competition. This unique opportunity opens doors to new projects and reinforces Sabre88’s expertise and capabilities in Help Desk & Contact Center Support, Telecommunications Support, Financial Services, Acquisition Support and Data Entry & Forms Processing.
As a HUBZone-certified business, Sabre88 is committed to creating job opportunities within the designated areas, contributing to an increase in employment rates and promoting prosperity in communities that need it most. The HUBZone certification also facilitates partnerships with larger prime contractors. These prime contractors are obligated to subcontract a portion of their work to HUBZone-certified businesses. Through these subcontracting opportunities, Sabre88 can collaborate on larger projects, gain valuable experience, and establish valuable relationships within the industry.
In addition to increased contracting opportunities, Sabre88 now has access to specialized resources, financial assistance programs, and training offered by the SBA. These resources will empower us at Sabre88 to strengthen our operations, improve our competitiveness, and foster sustainable growth. Upon receiving the news our CEO, Bob Cottingham has said, “Sabre88’s HUBZone certification represents a significant milestone in our journey. We are honored to be part of the program, and we are committed to making a positive impact in our designated HUBZone areas. This certification opens new doors for us, allowing us to secure government contracts, expand our reach, and contribute to the increased economic development and job opportunities of our local communities.”
As Sabre88 continues to grow and thrive as a HUBZone-certified business, it remains dedicated to upholding the program’s principles of economic empowerment, job creation, and community development.
Sabre88 HUBZone Welcome Letter
Congratulations! Welcome to the HUBZone Program!
I am pleased to advise you that effective on the date of this letter, SABRE88, LLC has been approved for certification as a “certified HUBZone small business concern.” The firm is now eligible for HUBZone opportunities and will be identified as a certified HUBZone small business concern in SBA’s Dynamic Small Business Search (DSBS) database found at Dynamic Small Business Search Tool. This certification will remain in effect for one year, unless: the firm acquires, is acquired by, or merges with another firm during that one-year period; the firm is performing a HUBZone contract and fails to attempt to maintain compliance with the minimum employee HUBZone residency requirement; or the firm voluntarily withdraws from the program. The information below sets forth requirements related to the firm’s continued HUBZone eligibility and its responsibilities as a certified HUBZone small business concern.
As a certified HUBZone small business concern, the firm may receive program benefits, including eligibility for HUBZone set-aside awards, HUBZone sole source awards, the HUBZone Price Evaluation Preference in full and open competition, and HUBZone reserves. These benefits come with important responsibilities, including:
Annually recertifying that the firm meets the HUBZone eligibility requirements. The date of this letter is the firm’s HUBZone certification date. Each year, you must recertify your firm’s HUBZone eligibility as of the anniversary of this certification date. For additional information, see the Recertification Fact Sheet.
- Checking SBA’s preview map to determine whether changes in HUBZone area designations will impact the firm’s eligibility at the time of its annual recertification. Note that changes in HUBZone designations may critically affect the firm’s ability to recertify its compliance with the HUBZone requirements that its principal office be located in a HUBZone and that at least 35% of its employees reside in HUBZones.
- Complying with the limitations on subcontracting requirements and nonmanufacturer rule when performing any HUBZone contracts (see13 C.F.R. §§ 126.700, 125.6, 121.406).
- “Attempting to maintain” compliance with the 35% HUBZone residency requirement during the performance of any HUBZone contracts. “Attempt to maintain” means making substantive and documented efforts, such as written offers of employment, published advertisements seeking employees, and attendance at job fairs, and applies only to firms that are performing a HUBZone set-aside contract or order, a HUBZone sole source award, a HUBZone reserve, or a contract where the HUBZone Price Evaluation Preference was applied (see 13 C.F.R. §§126.103, 126.200, 126.600). A certified HUBZone small business concern that has less than 20% of its total employees residing in HUBZones during the performance of a HUBZone contract has failed to attempt to maintain the HUBZone residency requirement and must immediately notify SBA.
- Notifying SBA within 30 days if the firm is acquired by, acquires, or merges with another firm.
- Keeping the firm’s System for Award Management (SAM) and DSBS records up-to-date. These records must remain up-to-date in order for the firm to receive benefits from the HUBZone Program (i.e., to be identified by contracting officers as eligible to be awarded HUBZone contracts and to be paid under any such contracts). You must validate the firm’s SAM information at least annually or its SAM registration will become inactive. If you need assistance in updating the firm’s SAM or DSBS information, please go to the SAM Help Desk at https://fsd.gov/fsd-gov/home.do.
- Responding to notices from SBA, including but not limited to notices regarding program examinations, protests, proposed decertification actions, and recertification requirements. The HUBZone Program sends such notices to the firm’s email address listed in its DSBS profile. If the firm fails to respond to these notices, SBA will propose the firm for decertification and may subsequently decertify it from the HUBZone Program. Therefore, it is critical that you keep the firm’s SAM and DSBS profiles current, including listing an active email address for contacting the firm, and check your email’s SPAM folder to make sure that you are receiving emails from SBA.”
