Preparing a
Socially Disadvantaged Narrative
Background
- Persons wishing to participate in SBA's Section 8(a) Contracting Set-Aside Program must now submit a narrative describing why they think that they are "socially disadvantaged"
Overview
- In preparing the actual narrative refer frequently to SBA's "Guide for Writing a Social Disadvantage Narrative".
- The Narrative should be limited to two incidents to avoid unnecessary delays to the review process. One incident may be enough to establish social disadvantage if it is pervasive or recurring.
Describe Your Identity
- Clearly describe which identity or characteristics you possess. Race, religion, ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation, identifiable disability, and isolation from American society are all categories of identities/characteristics that can form the basis of successful social disadvantage narrative
Describe Incidents of Bias
- The Narrative must include descriptions of incidents where the applicant personally experienced bias resulting in a degree of chronic and substantial social disadvantage. The described incidents should be related to experiences in:
What to Include in Each Description:
- When - Explain when the discriminatory conduct occurred. Exact dates, if available, are preferred but are not necessary so long as the incident provides a specific time period. This discrimination can be from any period of your life; you do not need to be experiencing current discrimination to qualify.
- Where - Explain where the discriminatory conduct occurred. The incident must have occurred in American society.
- Who - Explain who committed the discriminatory action. This could include an individual, a group of individuals, or an institution. Individual names, where available, are preferred but not necessary so long as the incident provides a specific figure or organization.
- What - Explain the discriminatory conduct.
- Why - Explain the reason(s) that the conduct was more likely motivated by bias or discrimination than other non-discriminatory reasons. Without additional facts, a mere assertion that the action was the result of bias or discrimination is not enough to support a claim of social disadvantage.
- How - Explain how each instance of discriminatory conduct impacted your entry into or advancement in the business world. Offensive comments or conduct, while reprehensible, will not support a a claim of social disadvantage if there is no negative impact associated with the incident.