GSA Blog

Women in Small Business, What You Should Know

In recognition of Women’s History Month, GSA’s Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization will feature posts focused on women in small business and how GSA is working to support them and the small business economy.

The federal government's goal is to award at least five percent of all federal contracting dollars to Women-Owned Small Businesses each year. GSA Contracting Officers set aside contracts for Women-Owned Small Businesses through our Multiple Awards Schedules Program, Government Wide Acquisition Contracts and open market procurements.

Becoming certified for the Women-Owned Small Businesses Federal Contracting Program means your business is eligible to compete for set-aside government contracts within eligible industries. In 2019, prime contracts were awarded to 15,000 Women-Owned Small Businesses, with an average award of $1.85 million per prime contractor.

Recently, the Small Business Administration launched the new, free online certification process through certify.sba.gov/. These improvements are designed to improve the customer experience and, at the same time, work to assist SBA in strengthening oversight and maintain the integrity of the certification process. At that site, you can access eligibility requirements and answer questions to find out if your firm meets the criteria to participate in one of the programs.

As a GSA Schedule holder, it makes the best business sense to certify if qualified, to increase your access to opportunities.

Once SBA certifies a firm, the firm may update the GSA Schedule Contract and marketing materials to reflect their Women-Owned Small Businesses or Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business status. You should also notify all existing and potential federal customers you are eligible for the Women-Owned Small Businesses set-aside program. As a small business owner, you should work to distinguish your business and product/service.

We recognize even with these resources you may need assistance. Small firms pursuing the certification should connect with the GSA Small Business Specialist, SBA Women-Owned Small Businesses Program Representatives and your local Procurement Technical Assistance Centerto learn more about resources to help you through the certification process.

To learn more about GSA’s commitment to the small business community, visit gsa.gov/small-business.