This book discusses what constitutes a "disadvantaged" small business for purposes of federal and federally funded contracting programs and how firms are certified or otherwise designated as such. Disadvantaged groups include Indian tribes, Alaska Native Corporations, Native Hawaiian Organizations, and Community Development Corporations. In 2008, the federal government awarded $29.3 billion in contracts or subcontracts to SDBs, including $6.3 billion in contracts to 8(a) participants..