There are two SBA Surety Bond Guarantee Programs, the Prior Approval Program and the Preferred Program. In the Prior Approval Program, all bond guarantee applications are submitted to SBA for prior review and approval. SBA gives Preferred sureties the authority to issue, monitor, and service bonds without prior approval.
Prior Approval Program
Prior approval sureties or agents representing them can submit applications electronically through the E-Application system. The E-Application is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
E-Application (E-App) Process
To use the E-App, you must have an account in the SBA’s General Login System (GLS), which is the single login point for all SBA services. To obtain an account, you must first be authorized by a surety company to obligate the company in the E-app system and issue bonds on its behalf. We need written confirmation from each Surety Company for which you have been authorized to write bonds.
After we receive confirmation, we will send you an Electronic Data Certification which must be signed, notarized, and returned to SBA. You will then be contacted by the OSG Security Administrator to complete the set-up of your account. Once the profile information has been submitted and approved, you will receive an e-mail with your ID and a default password. The first time you log into the General Login System – “Choose Function” screen using the default password, the Change Password screen will appear. Use this screen to select a user password of your choice.
Click here to login to the SBA General Login System (GLS)
On the General Login System – Choose Function screen, select the Surety Bond Guarantee applications to begin using the system to enter and/or submit Surety Bond Applications.
Additional Help
For additional help with the E-App process, you can refer to:
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Call the Office of Surety Guarantees, Washington, DC, at (202) 205-6540.
Preferred Program
In the Preferred Program, prior SBA approval of bond guarantees is not required. Preferred sureties, however, must notify SBA electronically of all bonds issued. For all final bonds, PSB sureties report and submit to SBA all contractor and surety fees due via a monthly bordereau.
Required Surety Forms:
Preferred Program
Form 990 – Surety Bond Guarantee Agreement
The form 990 and required contractor forms must be available for audit and review.
Prior Approval Program
In addition to the required contractor forms (click here), the following Prior Approval Surety Company forms are required:
Form 990 – Surety Bond Guarantee Agreement
The Surety Co. or agent is required to print, sign and mail the original 990, Surety Bond Guarantee Agreement, to the Denver or Seattle Area Office. If it is for a final bond, it must be accompanied by the contractor’s fee check.
Form 944B – Surety Bond Guarantee Underwriting Review
If a Prior Approval application is submitted through the E-App system, a paper copy of the 994B is not required.
In the E-App system, all required contractor and surety forms are in PDF format.
The E-App will automatically prompt you to print, sign, and submit the required forms to SBA.
