Find Out Where Women Entrepreneurs ARE and ARE NOT Getting Federal Business Contracts

Women entrepreneurs have a tough road to travel when it comes to owning their own businesses. The road gets tougher when they want to increase and grow their businesses by seeking out government contracts. Although some progress has been made, the road will remain long and hard for women as they compete against male domination in federal contracting.

What has helped

Some progress has been made as a result of actions by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). In 2010, the government authorized federal contracting officers to set aside federal contracts for Women Owned Small Businesses (WOSB) and Economically Disadvantaged Women Owned Small Businesses (EDWOSB). But to date, women have only about four percent of the market share of federal contracts.

Where the contracts are going

Most of the federal contracts awarded to women-owned businesses are in the areas of program management, logistics, administrative support and other professional services. In fact, these contracts increased in 2013 by 3.8 percent.

Areas that are decreasing

On the other hand, areas in which contracts awarded to WOSB and EDWOSB businesses are decreasing include architecture, engineering, and construction. These areas for women-owned businesses decreased by 50 percent between 2010 and 2013.