 |
 |
 |
It is time to show the Congress and the U.S. Small Business Administration that women-owned businesses are serious about obtaining federal contracts! Sign this petition no later than June 30, 2004 to be part of the national voice for women seeking opportunities for women in business.
Go to http://www.uswomenschamber.com... for more information.
The U.S. Women’s Chamber of Commerce and the National Women's Lobby Calls Upon Congress and the U.S. Small Business Administration to Implement P.L. 106-554 the Women's Procurement Program. In an unconscionable lack of support for women-owned businesses - this legislation (which was signed into law over 3 years ago) has never been implemented.
Meanwhile, the SBA has rapidly pushed through a new procurement program that will boost federal contract opportunities for service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses (and add another competitive barrier to success for women-owned small businesses). At a recent SBA advisory meeting, when asked about the status of the women's procurement program, attendees were told that the SBA is not focusing on this women's program now. Instead SBA is focusing on the service-disabled veteran's program – even though the women's program was signed into law over three years ago.
Women-owned businesses represent nearly 30% of the privately-held, majority (51% or more) women-owned businesses in the U.S. and receive less than 5% of federal procurement spending. Clearly, women-owned small businesses are substantially underrepresented in many, many industries and should be assisted through the implementation of this important legislation.
As representatives of the over 10 million women business owners of America, we ask that U.S. Small Business Administration quickly implement P.L. 106-554 and accept one of the hundreds of viable federal agency, state government or qualified national certifying entity certifications.
Background:
The Small Business Reauthorization Act of 2000 allows Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) Set-Asides for requirements in an industry where Women-Owned Small Businesses (WOSB) are substantially underrepresented and limited to contracts not exceeding $3 million for services and $5 million for manufacturing. P.L. 106-554 requires the small business concern be certified as WOSB by a federal agency, state government or national certifying entity approved by the Small Business Administration or if a WOSB can provide adequate documentation to support such certification. The SBA reports that there is an ongoing review being performed - however, the SBA has not even requested funding for this program. Meanwhile, the SBA has rapidly pushed through a new procurement program that will boost federal contract opportunities for service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses. |
 |
|
(fields marked with * are required)
|
|
|
|
The U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce (http://www.uswomenschamber.com) is the national voice for women in business. The National Women's Lobby is the leading alliance of women's organizations working together to create economic and leadership advancement for women. |
|
The views expressed in this petition are solely those of the petition's
sponsor and do not in any way reflect the views of iPetitions.
iPetitions is solely a provider of technical services to the petition
sponsor and cannot be held liable for any damages or injury or other
harm arising from this petition. In the event no adequate sponsor is
named, iPetitions will consider the individual account holder with which
the petition was created as the lawful sponsor.
|
|
|
