Will Rebuilding America's Infrastructure Mean More Government Contracts for WIB?
Now that the economic stimulus package has been passed there may be more opportunities for women-owned construction businesses. Or, at least one would hope. But the Federal government still fails to target or award many qualified women-owned businesses (WOBs) with any government contracts in hundreds of industries, but local governments tend to treat women in the construction business better.
Local Governments Provide More Opportunities for WOBs in the Construction Industry
Local governments (state, county, city) often have initiatives that require a certain percentage of construction work be awarded to women business owners, or be subcontracted through WOBs. These initiatives may even require officials to actively solicit bids from women entrepreneurs.
But to qualify for most construction contracts, your business needs to be certified as a women-owned business enterprise, and in most cases, appear in the Central Contractor Registry.
- Tips for Women Business Owners Applying for Federal Government Contracts: Here are 9 important tips to help you submit a winning bid on government contracts.
- The Women-Owned Business Contracting Program: In 1994 Congress passed legislation that requires the federal government to award a minimum of 5% of all government-wide contracts to certified women-owned businesses.
- What is Small Business Certification? Certification of a small business is a review process that gives formal acknowledgment that the business is owned and operated by a qualifying person, which is under represented in an industry. Not all businesses can receive certification.
- What is the Central Contractor Registry? The Small Business Administration (SBA) maintains a database called the Central Contractor Registry (CCR). The CCR is a massive listing of companies that wish to do business with the U.S. Federal Government.
Good information and you must be tenacious through these processes in order to get approved for a contract.
Good and bad news regarding the UK construction industry. Women included. British construction activity contracted for a 21st month running in November but the pace of decline eased and new order volumes rose for the first time since February 2008, a survey showed on Wednesday. The Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply/Markit construction contracts PMI index rose to 47.0 in November, its highest since August, from 46.2 in October. The recent rise in house prices boosted residential construction, which expanded for a third month running and at its fastest rate in over two years. But both commercial and civil engineering sectors reported further declines and employment overall declined for an 18th consecutive month.