Looking at the past fifteen years of progress women business owners have made, I am reminded that there is no one-step solution to solve inequalities between male and female-owned and large-and-small businesses. Rather, women-owned firms have chipped away at the inconsistencies in the federal marketplace and urged elected officials and policymakers to consider women businesses owners in their decision making.

Women-owned businesses have gained ground and we can see the progress on a number of fronts. Last year, the Census Bureau’s Survey of Business Owners (SBO) reported that there are nearly 10 million women-owned businesses in the U.S, and since 2002, the number of women-owned firms has increased by over 50 percent. Similarly, the Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) Federal Contract Program continues to grow, and women-owned firms are reaping the benefits of $17.9 billion to WOSBs in fiscal year 2015. For the first time ever, the federal government met its 5 percent contracting goal with women-owned businesses. 

While we have made tremendous progress, there is still work to be done. Part of improving access to federal markets for women entrepreneurs is improving the federal marketplace for all small businesses. While Congress passes the laws, agencies implement them through promulgating rules.

Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP) works hard to remain informed on federal contracting changes, especially rules that govern contracting. NAWRB supports WIPP as a Collation Partner to submit comments on behalf of our collective members. By advocating together on behalf of WOSB’s with members of Congress, we can create change to give more women greater access to federal markets.

Below are some of the new developments you should know about when it comes to federal contracting. Most are good news – some are not.

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