The U.S. Small Business Administration approved five additional insurance companies for its Surety Bond Guarantee program during the 2026 fiscal year. The program helps eligible small firms obtain bonding needed to compete for construction, manufacturing and supply contracts.

The new participants are Merchants National Bonding and United Fire & Casualty in Iowa, RLI Insurance in Illinois, and Capitol Indemnity and Platte River Insurance in Wisconsin. Their approval expands the network of sureties that can issue bonds backed in part by an SBA guarantee.

The program generally covers bid, performance, payment and maintenance bonds on contracts valued up to $9 million. Certain federal contracts can qualify up to $14 million when a contracting officer certifies that the guarantee is necessary.

Adding insurers increases potential access points for small businesses but does not automatically approve any contractor or contract. Applicants still must meet underwriting and program requirements before a participating surety issues a bond.