Quite naturally on a team of majority men, I was volun-told to write the article for Women’s History Month. I am certain any of the men could have written a compelling article for the month, but I wanted the privilege to address the intersection of Women’s History and Government Contracting.
Why do we still celebrate Black History Month? What is the intersection of Black History and government contracting? Wait, don’t bypass this article because at first glance you think it doesn’t connect to you. It is worth reading. We all stand on someone’s shoulders in our life’s journey.
Government Contractors Association is thrilled to introduce the Emergency Webinar Addressing How to Write Your Social Disadvantage Narrative!
This week, the SBA celebrated its 70th birthday. However, one of its storied 50-year-old programs, the 8a Certification Program, may be on the verge of significant changes. The 8a Program, as we know it, will never be the same again.
Big changes may be coming to the 8(a) Certification Program known as 8(a) Business Development Program. It is part of the Small Business Administration (SBA) and is designed to assist small businesses that are economically and socially disadvantaged in gaining access to government contracts. For businesses currently in the 8(a) Certification Program or those planning on applying for entrance into the 8(a) Program, there are some potential major modifications on the way.
Juneteenth finds its roots in the aftermath of the American Civil War. On June 19, 1865, Union General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, and proclaimed the end of slavery, two and a half years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. This delay in emancipation reaching Texas is attributed to the limited presence of Union troops and the resistance of slaveholders in the region. The news of freedom was met with joy and jubilation by the African American community, and the day became a symbol of hope and progress.
The White House plans to significantly increase the share of federal contracts awarded to Small Disadvantaged Businesses (SDBs) by 50% by 2025. This ambitious goal translates to awarding an additional $100 billion to SDBs over the next five years. Currently, the target for SDBs is set at 5% of federal contracting dollars, but recent data shows that federal agencies have been exceeding this goal, awarding an average of 9.8%. The new goal aims to raise this share to nearly 15% by 2025.
70% increase in eligible industries will expand contract opportunities for certified women owned businesses.
As we wrap up National Women’s Month, let’s review the program designed to level the playing field for women business owners. The government limits competition for certain contracts to businesses that participate in the Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) Federal Contracting program. This program facilitates contracts for specific industries where WOSBs are underrepresented. Some contracts are restricted further to economically disadvantaged women-owned small businesses (EDWOSBs).
In June 2021, the Biden administration announced its plans to increase the percentage of Small Business contracting by 50% over the next 5 years. To meet this goal, the administration has proposed $30B in new SBA initiatives that would reduce barriers to small business ownership and success. The new SBA initiatives will focus on increasing access to capital with new direct loans to small businesses,
The Biden administration has announced a new initiative of "increasing the share of contracts going to small disadvantaged businesses by 50 percent by 2026 - translating to an additional $100 billion to small disadvantaged businesses (SDBs) over the 5 year period." These plans were announced on June 1, 2021, the 100 year anniversary of the Black Wall Street massacre in Tulsa, Ok.
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Only 22% of federal contracting dollars are awarded to small businesses. Our goal is to be an agent of change by helping businesses owned by women, minorities, and veterans to get their fair share of the opportunities in the government market.
