GSA Blog

How GSA Supports Women Small Business Entrepreneurs

As we celebrate Women's History Month, we recognize the contributions of women who have shaped our nation's history. Women-owned businesses have become one of the faster growing segments of the small business community. Today, the more than 12 million women-owned small businesses (WOSB) in the United States show this powerful segment's influence.

Our economy is based on small businesses, including women-owned small businesses. They are a critical component of government purchasing. For more than 20 years, the federal government has set a goal every year to award five percent of federal contracting dollars to WOSB. This goal works to level the playing field in industries where WOSB and economically disadvantaged WOSB are underrepresented.

We are looking for opportunities to award even more of those dollars to WOSB. Buyers across the federal government are looking as well.

At GSA, we're working hard to maximize federal procurement opportunities for WOSB and economically disadvantaged WOSB.

We continue to build on our past successes by:

• Awarding more GSA contracts to WOSBs in FY22, with at least 5% of those contracts being prime and subcontracting awards respectively;
• Offering more matchmaking events for increased subcontracting opportunities

Through our Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU), we advocate for small businesses, small disadvantaged, service-disabled veteran-owned, Historically Underutilized Business Zone small businesses, and women-owned small business owners.

We engage in activities so the small business community can:

• Meet key contracting experts
• Learn about the procurement process
• Get training,
• Use the Forecast of Contracting Opportunities Tool, and
• Learn facts about government contracting

We strive to exceed Small Business Administration's (SBA) procurement goals. We received an A+ from SBA on our FY20 Small Business Procurement Scorecard — 11th consecutive year where we've achieved at least an “A” from SBA for its annual assessment tool.

Federal agencies that earn an A+ rating by meeting important small business contracting goals and other measures of demonstrated commitment to small business participation in federal contracting.

We are committed to reaching the nation's smallest businesses. Staying connected with the small business community is key to our success. Outreach such as workshops and training sessions will continue as we help small businesses navigate the federal procurement process and contribute to our nation's economic recovery.

This month, we would like for you to join GSA and the U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce for a Virtual Meet & Match:

• Register now to attend Meet and Match: Supporting the Success of Women-Owned Small Businesses to expand your network as a WOSB with GSA prime contractors through matchmaking.
• While this event is focused on WOSBs, all businesses are welcome to attend.
• To learn more about GSA's commitment to the small business community, visit https://www.gsa.gov/small-business.