The Small Business Administration (SBA) guarantees bid, performance, and payment surety bonds issued by certain surety companies.
SBA guarantees surety bonds
Surety bonds help small businesses win contracts by providing the customer with a guarantee that the work will be completed. Many public and private contracts require surety bonds, which are offered by surety companies. SBA guarantees surety bonds for certain surety companies, which allows the companies to offer surety bonds to small businesses that might not meet the criteria for other sureties.
How the SBA Surety Bond program works
1. Surety bonds are requested
Small businesses reach out to SBA-authorized surety agencies.
2. Surety partners with business
SBA-authorized surety agents secure bond approval from SBA surety partners.
3. SBA guarantees bond
SBA guarantees surety bonds for qualified small businesses.
4. Small businesses benefit
Eligible small businesses get SBA-guaranteed surety bonds so they can get to work.
Contract or commercial bonds
Depending on the the type of work, a business may be required to obtain a contract bond or a commercial bond.
SBA guarantees contract bonds, but doesn’t guarantee commercial bonds. Contract bonds ensure the terms of a specific contract are fulfilled. Commercial bonds ensure all applicable laws and regulations are followed. Government agencies require certain companies or individuals to obtain commercial bonds, which protect the general public against things like fraud.
The right surety bond for the project
Some contracts require surety bonds that cover specific situations. SBA guarantees surety bonds that cover several major categories of work.
Bid
Ensures full payment and performance bonding from the contract bidder.
Payment
Ensures full payment to the suppliers and subcontractors.
Performance
Ensures full completion of a contract by small business.
Ancillary
Ensures completion of requirements outside of performance or payment, such as maintenance.
Bond Guarantee Fee
All performance and payment bond guarantees require small businesses to pay SBA a fee of 0.6% of the contract price. If for some reason the bond is cancelled or not issued, SBA will return the guarantee fee. SBA does not charge a fee for bid bond guarantees.
Eligibility
Determine your small business’s level of eligibility before obtaining a surety bond. Does your business meet the following requirements?
Be a small business
Qualify as a small business according to SBA’s size standards.
Have a small contract
Up to $9 million for non-federal contracts and up to $14 million for federal contracts
Pass evaluation
Meet the surety company’s credit, capacity, and character requirements.
Contact a surety bond agency
Check the data base of surety agencies that offer SBA-guaranteed bonds.
Need help?
Questions about SBA’s Surety Bond Guarantee program can be sent by email to suretybonds@sba.gov.
Are you a transportation-related small business?
Explore the Department of Transportation’s Bonding Education Program.