NHO 8(a) Direct Award Benefits
- $100M Direct Awards. Defense agencies can issue direct award contracts to an NHO 8(a) entity of up to $100M without justification (IAW 13 CFR § 124.506)
- $25M Direct Awards. Civilian agencies can issue direct award contracts to an NHO 8(a) entity of up to $25M without justification (IAW 13 CFR § 124.506)
- Awards Cannot Be Protested. NHO 8(a) direct awards cannot be protested often speeding up the time to deliver (IAW 13 CFR 124.517(a))
- No Procurement Competition. There is no requirement to compete procurements before a direct award
- Follow-on to Competitive Awards Can Directly Award. An NHO 8(a) may receive direct awards after a contract was competitively awarded previously in the NHO 8(a) program
Speed of Contract Award
- A direct award contract is typically executed within 4-5 weeks of acquisition initiation
- The NHO 8(a) direct award acquisition process enables government acquisition officials to work with Makuit JV, LLC prior to solicitation, reducing procurement time and streamlining the contracting process
- There is no need for customers to develop exhaustive and rigorous specifications for re-evaluation of bidders
- No extensive post-award documentation
- An assurance that Government requirements are met at the earliest time possible
5-Step Direct Award Process
Step 1

Government acquisition official develops SOW/PWS/SOO, prepares cost estimate, and sends requirement details to Makuit JV, LLC SBA 8(a) Representative
Step 2

SBA reviews offer letter, verifies Makuit JV, LLC 8(a) eligibility, and sends letter of acceptance to Government acquisition official
Step 3

Government acquisition officials informs Makuit that they may enter into project scope, and project planning negotiations with end customer
Step 4

Makuit JV, LLC Submits Proposal to the Government acquisition official
Step 5

Once mutually acceptable terms are negotiated the contract is awarded