William B. Shear
Published: 2014-12-09
Total Pages: 38
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Women-owned businesses contribute significantly to the U.S. economy. According to the most recent Census Survey of Business Owners, 28.7%, or 7.8 million, of all U.S. businesses in 2007 were women-owned. Between 1997 and 2007, the number of women-owned businesses grew by 44% (or twice as fast as businesses owned by men) adding roughly 500,000 jobs nationwide. However, the federal government has yet to meet its annual goal of awarding 5% of its procurement to WOSBs. In 2000, Congress authorized the WOSB program to increase contracting opportunities for WOSBs by allowing contracting officers to set aside procurements to such businesses. The Small Business Administration (SBA), which administers the program, issued implementing regulations that became effective in 2011. This report examines (1) how businesses are certified as eligible for the WOSB program; (2) SBA's oversight of certifications; and (3) the effect the program has had on federal contracting opportunities available to WOSBs or economically disadvantaged women-owned small business (EDWOSBs). Tables and figure. This is a print on demand report.