Numbers Are Up, But Data Shows Need for Women's Procurement Program
1:09 PM September 1, 2010
The SBA has released the FY2009 Small Business Procurement Scorecard, and the results are surprising, and disappointing. The Scorecard is an assessment tool used by the federal government to measure how well federal agencies have reached their small business goals. I'm happy to see that the numbers for women-owned businesses are up from FY 2008, and that the subcontracting goal has been exceeded (5.44%). However, the 23% small business goal fell short at 21.89%, and the number for prime contracts for women-owned small business remains well below the 5% goal (3.68%).
To read WIPP's press release on the Scorecard results, please click here.
Despite the increase in women contractors, the over half of the top six federal agencies suffered decreases in their women-owned numbers for prime contracts, and only two met their self-imposed goals (Department of Homeland Security met its 5% goal, DoE met its 0.71% goal). The following is a breakdown of their numbers.
• Department of Defense (DoD): 3.37%, up from 2.95%
• Department of Energy (DoE): 0.89%, down from 0.97%
• Health and Human Services (HHS): 4.51%, down from 5.55%
• National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA): 2.37%, down from 2.51%
• Department of Veterans: 3.40%, down from 4.02%
• Department of Homeland Security: 7.86%, up from 6.55%
These results indicate the need for the enactment of the Women's Procurement Program. SBA Administrator Karen Mills has spoken openly the implementation of the Women's Procurement Program later this year (click here to read my previous blog post on this announcement). These numbers will surely rise if contracting officers have the ability to restrict competition to only women-owned small businesses. Until this program is enacted, I fear that the federal government will never meet its 5% goal.
Growing Global - A Great WIPP Experience Special Guest Blog by Ann Blackburn
6:32 PM August 30, 2010
Thanks to an invitation through WIPP to participate in the U.S. State Department sponsored Business Women's Summit in Jordan in 2007, I now have the honor of visiting Syria next month. Courtesy of my friend Khulud Halaby, who became my partner during the exchange, I have met the Syrian Ambassador to the United States and will be meeting the Ambassador of the United States to Syria during my visit.
Khulud has visited us twice here in California since 2007, where she toured many businesses and met many new American friends. Damascus is one of, if not the oldest cities in the world. Experiencing this part of the world and being hosted so graciously is an unexpected benefit of my association with WIPP. If you ever have the opportunity to participate in an exchange program of any kind, I highly recommend it.
~ Ann Blackburn, WIPP National Partner and President of Blackburn Advisory Services
Small Business Bill Cannot Wait - Voice Your Support, This Bill MUST Pass!
1:59 PM August 27, 2010
Before Congress went on August recess, important small business legislation was left unresolved. Despite WIPP's efforts to rally support for the bill, Democrats and Republicans were unable to agree on the Small Business Jobs and Credit Act of 2010 (H.R. 5297) before the break.
We need your help to urge Congress to restore parity
4:38 PM August 24, 2010
If you are or want to be a federal contractor, parity drastically affects your ability to compete for federal contracts. Before recent court cases decided otherwise, the SBA and the Administration viewed the SBA's small business contracting programs as equals (they are in "parity" with one another). The GAO and the U.S. Court of Federal Claims both ruled that HUBZone has preference over the other programs, dooming the soon-to-be-implemented women's procurement program. (Click here to read previous blog post and WIPP letters about parity.)
WIPP National Partner Laurie Simon Meets with Senator Feinstein - Guest Blog by Laurie Simon
1:33 PM August 19, 2010
As the Founder/CEO Ombrella, Inc., I found the process of searching for a women's organization that could assist me with successfully growing my business quite arduous. Very often I saw women's organizations boasting of the benefits they provide to their members, guaranteeing advantages for business growth. However, time and time again, in all business ventures, it is about whether you can DELIVER on the promises you provide to your clients (or members in this case).
While wading through the masses of women's organizations out there, I luckily found Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP). WIPP is THE VOICE for women in business in our nation's capitol, advocating for and on behalf of women in business in the legislative process. WIPP sets the bar high, by not only providing the latest policy information on issues that affect YOU as a woman business owner (WBO) but directly connecting their members to key decision makers on Capitol Hill.
Case in point, I personally met with Senator Feinstein last week to discuss healthcare issues. Not only did WIPP connect me with my Congressional Delegate, but assisted me in preparing for the meeting.
I was able to discuss my personal experience as a WBO dealing with insurance premiums, rates, penalizations, benefits, costs, etc. Additionally, I was able to relay how due to rising employee costs and business tax in California, I was forced to close my La Jolla office. If there were small business incentives in California, I would be able to re-open immediately. For now, it is cost prohibitive. Overall, the meeting was informative, mutually collaborative, and resulted in vital connections made.
It is examples like this that I continue to be so involved with WIPP. I can say with complete validity that WIPP keeps promises made regarding what benefits they offer to their members. If you are not a member yet - what are you waiting for? Check them out at www.wipp.org.
