![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
||||||||||
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
||||||||||
![]() |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
||||||
Here are answers to the questions women business owners ask most often.
1. How do I certify my business as woman-owned? The federal government does not require certification as a woman-owned small business. However, certification can be helpful in winning other types of contracts. For federal procurement, you may self-certify in the Central Contractor Registration. In addition, there are two private national women's business organizations that certify qualified women-owned businesses:
2. What are the criteria for classification as a small business? Central Contractor Registration defines small business criteria as follows: A small business is one that:
The business may be a sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, or any other legal form. Central Contractor Registration has aligned its classification standard with the official classification from Small Business Administration (SBA). The SBA has a size standard for all private sector industries in the U.S. economy, using the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) to identify the industries. Size standards (usually stated in number of employees or average annual receipts) represent the largest size that a business (including its subsidiaries and affiliates) may be to remain classified as a small business for SBA's programs and for federal contracting programs. For the most current information on the small business
size standard for a variety of industry groups, check the CCR
Web site. 3. What federal certification programs are available for women-owned businesses, and how can they help me win federal contracts? Although women-owned businesses are not required to obtain third-party certification to do business with the federal government as a women-owned business, there are several other federal certification programs for which some women-owned business may qualify. These include: The 8(a) Business Development
Program Today’s 8(a) Business Development Program is strengthened and improved to be a truly effective business development vehicle. New regulations permit 8(a) companies to form beneficial teaming partnerships and allow federal agencies to streamline the contracting process. Nearly every SBA district office has regularly scheduled presentations about applying to and benefits of the 8(a) program. For more information, call SBA's Answer Desk at 1-800-827-5722. The Small Disadvantaged
Business (SDB) Program SBA certifies SDBs to make them eligible for special bidding benefits. Evaluation credits available to prime contractors boost subcontracting opportunities for SDBs. The SBA provides the gateway to opportunity for small contractors and subcontractors. HUBZone Empowerment Contracting
Program The
Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) To learn more about this program and how to apply, visit
the DBE site or phone 202-366-4754 or 202-366-4070. 4. Where can I find more information on how a woman-owned business can do business with the federal government? FirstGov My
Biz for Women Business.gov Visit the "Key Resources" page on this Web
site for links to additional sources of information. 5. Where is the nearest Women’s Business Center? Women’s Business Centers are a national network of more than 100 educational resource centers designed to assist women start and grow small businesses. Women’s Business Centers operate with the mission to level the playing field for women entrepreneurs. You’ll find information about them on the following Web sites:
6. Does the federal government offer any mentoring or joint venturing programs? Yes. The SBA, Department of Defense, and National Aeronautics and Space Administration have mentoring programs and conferences: 7. What are the historical federal contracting trends for women-owned
small businesses? To learn more about women-owned businesses and federal contracting, read Federal Contracting with Women-Owned Businesses, FY1998 to FY2003, and the tables that accompany it from the National Women's Business Council. The SBA Web site outlines the statutory goals for contracting with women-owned businesses and provides data on them in the following Web sites:
8. Where should I go if I have additional questions? For answers to additional questions, please check the SBA’s database of frequently-asked-questions or contact your local SBA district office.Back to top
|
![]() |
|||||||||
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |