New Partnership Puts The Women Owned Small Business Federal Contracting Program To Work

Earlier today, I joined hundreds of women-owned contracting firms at the Department of Defense Women-Owned Small Business Opportunity Forum in Alexandria, Virginia to announce a new partnership between the SBA and Women Impacting Public Policy, Inc. (WIPP).  This partnership is designed to help highlight the benefits of the Women Owned Small Business (WOSB) Federal Contract program, educate women business owners on how to participate, and connect them to federal agency procurement officers in industries where women are historically underrepresented. This effort will enable more women-owned firms to take advantage of contracting opportunities so they can grow their businesses and continue to create jobs.

As one of the fastest growing sectors of the economy, women-owned businesses have and will continue to play a key role in reshaping the American economy. Ensuring these businesses have the tools and resources they need to be successful is a top priority for the SBA. And it starts with developing relationships that extend the agency’s reach to more entrepreneurs from more demographics and more areas across the nation. Today, there are over 11,000 women-owned vendors registered in the WOSB repository. And since 2010, $56 million in contracts have been awarded via set-asides through the WOSB Federal Contract Program.  Our new partnership with WIPP will allow us to continue to build on this progress. 

One of the best parts of my job is traveling the country and meeting with the small business owners on the frontlines of our economic recovery.  I’ve met women entrepreneurs like Vicki Frankovich from Reno, Nevada. Since receiving her 8(a) certification, Vicki’s company, Building Solutions, has seen revenues grow from $3 million a year to $15 million in annual sales. Vicki credits her company’s growth and success to her 8(a) certification, which enabled her to build an infrastructure to take on larger, more complex projects. At the SBA, we know that federal contracting is one of the most effective tools to help women-owned companies, like Building Solutions, add to their bottom line and grow their businesses. It is a privilege to see firsthand the impact of WOSB and 8(a) Business Development programs on women and underserved small businesses.

This partnership with WIPP is just one piece of the SBA’s efforts to connect women small business owners to contracting programs in the Federal government’s supply chain. At the SBA, and across the Administration, we are committed to doing our part to build a strong, inclusive, resilient 21^st century economy—one that creates good jobs and increases access and opportunity for more entrepreneurs to be successful.

About the Author

Marie Johns is Deputy Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration. She is responsible for management and oversight of the agency, and leads the agency’s efforts to reach underserved communities.