Quite naturally, on a team of mostly 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 piece for the month, but I wanted the privilege to address the intersection of Women’s History and Government Contracting. The outlook is bleak. Even in 2024, the intersection of women and government contracting looks more like the 70s—when women couldn’t secure a credit card. Is all hope lost?
Should women give up on government contracting? A resounding no. Our perception of breaking the glass ceiling is that it happens in one fell swoop. However, in reality, the glass ceiling breaks through tiny cracks over time. We must intertwine efforts with progress to see the ceiling come crashing down. The Government Contractors Association (GCA) is here to move women-owned businesses forward in the government space. Read below on how to receive your free assessment to evaluate government contracting readiness. GCA is committed to making changes in this generation.
My Inspiration
First, my trailblazing grandmother, aunt, and mother are my inspiration for Women’s History. Upon my grandmother’s retirement, she chose to start a catering business. Accompanied by my aunt, they took Grand Rapids, MI by storm. Their efforts were recognized by both former Presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald R. Ford. Had they known about government contracting, I can only speculate that their endeavors would have expanded into the government space.
My mother chose a different path of community service through Baxter Community Center and Eastown Community Center. She was instrumental in organizing art festivals and Black History Month celebrations, impacting the tapestry of businesses in East Town and making the community safer. Her heart was set on helping others. While having a giving heart sometimes leads to meager income, she made a difference through meal programs, clothing programs, and the arts. Her hidden aspiration was poetry and acting. I can only recall her performance in Baxter Community Center’s “For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow Is Not Enuf” by Ntozake Shange. Against all odds, she decided to participate in art without confirmation from those around her.
The Origins of Women’s History Month
When writing an article, sometimes we must go back to go forward. Translation, what is the history behind Women’s History Month? What compelled the recognition of this month?
Presidential Proclamation
In February 1980, President Jimmy Carter issued a presidential proclamation declaring the week of March 8, 1980, as National Women’s History Week. The proclamation stated, “From the first settlers who came to our shores, from the first American Indian families who befriended them, men and women have worked together to build this nation. Too often the women were unsung and sometimes their contributions went unnoticed. But the achievements, leadership, courage, strength, and love of the women who built America were as vital as that of the men whose names we know so well.”
Early Efforts
In the United States, Women’s History Month traces its beginnings back to the first International Women’s Day in 1911. Laura X organized a march in Berkeley, California, on International Women’s Day in 1969. Before then, International Women’s Day had been largely forgotten in the U.S.[4] The march led to the creation of The Women’s History Research Center, a central archive of the women’s movement from 1968 to 1974.[5] Laura X also advocated for National Women’s History Month to be built around International Women’s Day. [6] The Women’s History Research Center collected nearly one million documents on microfilm, providing resources and records of the Women’s liberation movement, now available through the National Women’s History Alliance. This organization successfully petitioned Congress to declare March as Women’s History Month.[7]
Women and Government Contracting
I realize that I have taken significant leaps from myself to Women’s History Week to Women’s History Month. This article would become volumes if I didn’t make certain choices about content. Let’s now focus on the intersection of women and government contracting.
Progress and Challenges
According to an article from The 19th by economy reporter Chabeli Carrazana:
Nearly three decades ago, the Small Business Administration set a goal of granting 5 percent of federal contracts to women-owned small businesses. It has only met that goal twice, in 2015 and 2019, according to a new report from the Bipartisan Policy Center and Goldman Sachs.
At the local level, women- and men-owned small businesses were about equally likely to say they received a government contract, according to a survey conducted by the group this month. However, the gender gap grew at the state and federal levels: The survey found a 13 percentage-point gap between men and women business owners who received contracts from state governments and a 15 percentage-point difference from those receiving contracts from the federal government. (No data was collected on nonbinary business owners.)
Before the benchmarks were implemented in the late 1980s, only 1 percent of federal procurement dollars went to women-owned small businesses.
Progress has been slow. In 1997, women-owned small businesses received 1.8 percent of federal contracts. By 2012, that figure hit 4 percent and has remained between 4 and 5 percent. In 2015, it reached 5.05 percent, and in 2019, it hit 5.19 percent.
Rosemary Swierk, the president of Direct Steel and Construction in Illinois, a small business that builds low-rise non-residential buildings, said the program’s setup disincentivizes woman-owned small businesses from applying. For example, contracts valued under $250,000 are automatically set aside for women-owned small businesses if two or more such businesses bid for the contract. However, it costs about the same—$20,000 to $40,000—for her business to bid on a smaller project as it does for a larger project worth millions of dollars.
“Each project we go after, we throw that money out the window if we don’t get it. So where are we going to put that risk?” she said. (Advocates have pushed for raising the current ceiling to $500,000.)
According to the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Voices program survey, half of women owners who chose not to apply for federal contracts said it was because the process was too time-consuming. Forty percent said it was too complicated and lacked sufficient information, and 38 percent felt that small businesses weren’t prioritized, making it unlikely they would secure a contract. Swierk echoes this sentiment.
United States Small Business Administration: History of the WOSB Federal Contract Program
Moving Forward
Where do we go from here? We know where women and government contracting intersect, but what do we do now?
Opportunities and Resources
According to Rieva Lesonsky, president and CEO of GrowBiz Media:
To help overcome these obstacles and level the playing field, the federal government has created and implemented policies and programs to help women access government contracts. Specifically, the Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) Federal Contracting Program, one of several certification programs approved by Congress, was designed “to provide greater opportunities for [women-owned] small businesses to compete in the federal marketplace.”
The WOSB program was established in 1994 as part of the Federal Acquisition Streamlining Act (FASA), which created a 5% government-wide goal for contracting with women-owned small businesses.
WOSB Certification
Overall, there are two types of certifications available to women-owned businesses:
- Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB): This designation is used by federal government agencies looking for women-owned companies to do business with. Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business (EDWOSB) is a subcategory of WOSBs.
- Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE): This designation is used by private sector organizations and many state and local governments looking for women-owned companies to do business with.
To apply for certification, visit the SBA’s certification website and answer eligibility questions. Once deemed eligible, you will be guided to use the SBA (Small Business Administration) to get certified or be given a list of approved third-party certifiers, including:
- National Women Business Owners Corporation
- U.S. Women’s Chamber of Commerce
- Women’s Business Enterprise National Council
- El Paso Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Contact them to learn about their certification processes and any associated costs.
Government Grants for Women-Owned Businesses
Government grants can be a crucial source of funding for women-owned businesses, providing opportunities to grow and expand. These grants are designed to support women entrepreneurs by alleviating financial barriers and fostering innovation and success in various industries.
How to Obtain Government Grants
- Research and Identify Grants: Start by identifying grants that align with your business needs and objectives. Websites like Grants.gov and the Small Business Administration (SBA) offer comprehensive databases of available grants.
- Prepare Your Proposal: Develop a detailed grant proposal that outlines your business plan, objectives, and how the grant funds will be utilized. The proposal should address the specific criteria set by the grant-giving organization.
- Submit Your Application: Follow the application instructions carefully and submit your proposal by the deadline. Be sure to include all required documentation and information to increase your chances of success.
Organizations Offering Grants
- Amber Grant for Women: Provides monthly $10,000 grants and a year-end $25,000 grant to women entrepreneurs, along with mentorship and support.
- Comcast RISE Investment Fund: Offers grants and support to women-owned businesses in need of financial assistance and marketing resources.
- SBA Office of Women’s Business Ownership: Provides various resources and information about grants and funding opportunities specifically for women-owned businesses.
Data on Women-Owned Businesses and Government Grants
- According to a report by the National Women’s Business Council, women-owned businesses have received an increasing share of government contracts over the past decade. In fiscal year 2023, women-owned small businesses received approximately 5.19% of federal contracts, an increase from previous years.
- Despite this progress, the majority of women-owned businesses still face challenges in securing government grants and contracts. A study by the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council highlights that while the number of women-owned businesses is growing, there remains a significant disparity in access to funding compared to their male counterparts.
The Government Contractors Association was created to be hope in the bleak landscape. GCA supports women-owned businesses by providing certification help, a free 8a social disadvantage narrative template, and proposal assistance. In celebration of Women’s History Month, we are giving a 20-point assessment to help evaluate your business readiness for government contracting. Email Vija Xiong at vija@govcontractors.org GCA is here to support your government contracting goals by working to level the playing field. GCA will make changes for women-owned businesses now!
Thank you for the opportunity to celebrate Women’s History Month!
By Vija Xiong
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