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 often encourage women construction business owners to bid on 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.
- Industries Where WOBs are Awarded the Most Government Contracts: Women business owners are still being awarded less than 3.5% of government contracts. Despite the federal government’s s failure to comply with minimum standards in all contract awards, the SBA is now recommending women be awarded more contracts only in “under represented” industries.
- 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.
Local Governments Encourage WOBs in the Construction Industry
Local governments (state, county, city) are more concerned with discrimination lawsuits than the federal government and often have initiatives that require a certain percentage of construction work be awarded to women business owners or subcontracted through WOBs.
These initiatives may even require officials to actively solicit bids from women entrepreneurs. But to qualify, your business needs to be certified as a women-owned business enterprise, and in most cases, appear in the Central Contractor Registry.
- 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.
Any company or organization that wishes to do business with the U.S. Federal Government must first be registered in the CCR.
- 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.
- Self-Certification of Women-Owned Businesses: Federal law permits first-time women bidders on government contracts to “self-certify” if they meet certain conditions of being a women-owned business.
However, this self-certification can be challenged upon procurement award. If this happens, the procuring agency may request proof of the firms’ WOB status, or even require certification. If you fail to comply, you could lose the award.
Resources and Support for Women-Owned Construction Businesses
Here are three organizations specifically of interest to women entrepreneurs in the construction business:
- National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC): This organizations lists networking, apprenticeships, allows members to post job resumes, and offers a variety of scholarships and educational opportunities to women in the construction industry.
- Women Contractors Association (WCA): This organization offers monthly networking events, and a variety of opportunities and resources for women business owners and executives to learn more about growing their construction industry-related businesses.
- Women Construction Owners and Executives, USA (WCOE): This organization supports and advocates for women business owners in the construction industry. Twice when I visited their website they were having technical troubles (other times the site worked fine). To reach WCOE by phone, call 1-800-788-3548.
