SBA Proposes Rule to Expand Contracting Opportunities for Women
The Small Business Administration announced this week a 60-day comment period on a proposed rule to expand federal contracting opportunities for women-owned small businesses. The agency has identified 83 industries in which women-owned small businesses are “underrepresented or substantially underrepresented.†The proposed rule would allow federal procurement officers to set aside contracts in those industries that do not exceed $3 million, or in the case of manufacturing, $5 million.
“Across the country, women are leading strong, innovative companies, and we know that securing federal contracts can be the opportunity that helps them take their businesses to the next level,†said SBA chief Karen Mills in a release announcing the proposed rule.
The federal government currently has 5% women-owned small business contracting goal. To be eligible for set asides under the proposed rule, a business must be 51% owned and controlled by one or more women who are U.S. citizens and be deemed “economically disadvantaged.†The rule also eliminates a requirement that each federal agency certify that it had discriminated against women-owned small businesses in order to participate in the set-aside program.
“For too long, women-owned businesses, in particular minority women-owned businesses, have faced challenges in attempting to do business with the federal government. This proposed rule demonstrates that the Small Business Administration recognizes this,†said Rep. Yvette Clarke (D-New York), a member of the Congressional Black Caucus and the House Small Business Committee . “Democracy is not a spectator sport. That is why I encourage all American citizens, especially women business owners, to take full advantage of the 60 day public comment period to weigh in on the proposed rule.â€
Comments may be submitted online at www.regulations.gov up until the close of business on May 3.