As I sit watching a documentary on feminism in the sixties, I wonder how far we’ve really come to financial equality for women. Have women moved to entrepreneurism to grab financial rewards not realized in corporate jobs? I know I have. But are we really grabbing our fair share?
Many women felt optimistic when, in 1994, Congress passed legislation that required the federal government to award a minimum of 5% of all government-wide contracts to certified women-owned businesses. Now before my male readers get upset, the program does not require women to be favored over men, but does allow contracting officers to use their own discretion for "restricted competition" to increase contracting opportunities for women-owned business (WOBs).
However, in 2001, only 2.5% of contracts were awarded to WOBs. Still, in 2007, the federal government is still falling short of this mandated requirement and had only awarded 3.8% of contracts to women. Why are women not getting awarded more government contracts?
One of the biggest problems is that there are no incentives for awarding contracts to women and there are no penalties when the government fails to comply with the law.
While, the Federal government still fails to target or award many qualified WOBs with any government contracts in hundreds of industries, local governments (state, county, city) often encourage women business owners to bid on contracts. Why are local governments different?
Perhaps local governments are more concerned with discrimination lawsuits than the federal government and often have initiatives that require a certain percentage of work be awarded to women business owners or subcontracted through WOBs.
These local initiatives may even require officials to actively solicit bids from women entrepreneurs. But to qualify, your business needs to be certified as a women business enterprise (WBE), and in most cases, appear in the Central Contractor Registry (CCR).
Registration in the CCR is free, however registration can be confusing and requires many different forms and detailed information about your business. As an aid, the Denver Office of Economic Development, Division of Small Business Opportunity offers a free two-hour training and informational seminar on how to certify your business as a WBE, among many other certifications.
Classes are held every Friday from 9-11am in the Wellington Webb Municipal Building, 201 W. Colfax Ave., Denver, CO 80202. Contact the Denver Office of Economic Development, Division of Small Business Opportunity at 720-913-1999.
In addition, The Denver Business Assistance Center (BAC) is dedicated to supporting Denver’s small businesses in their interactions with federal, state and local government.
You can speak to a BAC consultant directly by calling 720.913.1715 or sending an e-mail to denverbac@denvergov.org
Of course, as in any business effort, connections with other business partners can help advance your efforts to get a piece of the contracting pie. Your local business chambers and professional organizations are the first place to look for those connections. Many of these groups also offer classes and assistance in government procurement procedures and how to navigate the red tape.