As difficult as it is to admit it, women do still face discrimination, especially in particular markets. The federal government recognized this fact three-and-a-half years ago, but it (via the SBA) has failed to take the appropriate directed action. Women in the U.S. are therefore being institutionally discriminated against on a regular basis, under the illegal guise of "it's in process." If a private employer took this approach, it would be found to be in violation of civil rights. The federal government must be held to at least the same minimum standard or face similar penalties as those as private employers. More importantly, however, the issue must be addressed and correctly immediately to end discrimination against women in specific fields in which discrimination and underrepresentation are commonplace.

As a minority and woman-owned manufacturer since 19990, and 8a since 2003, SBA has been no help. It has been a struggle trying to raise money, and impossible to get Federal contracts. It is just to many rules and regulations. This is the reason why only about 3% of women get awarded government contracts.

Most Women-owned and minority-owned businesses currently have no opportunity to bid on large new developments in progress at Ft Campbell, KY. Contracting Office officials state one huge conglomerate will abscond all new custodial requirements. As it currently stands, there will be no procurement contracts announced for any of the new work opportunities because "there is no new requirement - it's merely an expansion for the current 'single contractor' in place." This is a total monopoly blocking all custodial contracts from small, women-owned businesses.

I just wanted to welcome you to this quicktopic area. Please use this system to comment on the implementation of the Women's Federal Procurement Program.

My business is about to apply for an SBA loan. We are meeting w/ our advisory board tomorrow for the members to look over the loan package and advise. I would appreciate any advise from this forum.

I also have not had any luck w/gaining access to any procurement opportunities for my business however, we have not given up.

Barb - Thank you for your note and we hope all goes will as you seek capital for your business. We are working on this issue aggressively right now. If you find you are hitting any walls, please let us know at USWCC and we will do all we can to help.

Thank you, Ms Dorfman, for your phone response. I eagerly await the event information you were mailing me.
I think joining USWCC is a great idea. Problem is, we are working to change the US Constitution as a mentioned, putting the Equal Rights Amendment in it.
"EQUALITY UNDER THE LAW SHALL NOT BE DENIED OR ABRIDGED BY THE UNITED STATES OR BY ANY STATE ON ACCOUNT OF SEX." This would much discrimination that exists against women, eliminate yes, some men too. I believe the discussions on this web site allude to some of them. Especially it would eliminate wage discrepancies between men's and women's salaries if the payor is a government - affiliated corporation/agency. We believe that eventually wages would equalize most places since societal pressure is a powerful thing.
We have legal opinion that we only need 3 more states to ratify ERA to move it to the Federal level and then into the Constitution.

Want to know more? SandyJOestreich@cs.com
I for one would love to join you but all spare momey goes into funding the ERA, getting gas money to go lobby in our capital.

I recieved this email in August because I am writing a paper for law school on Woman Owned business and finance discrimination as well as the 8a program for Caucasian woman owned businesses. I am getting ready to finish my paper and want to know if there is any up dates to the PL 106-554. Excuse my ignorance but what does the PL stand for?
This is a great web cite I am going to look through more of the emails. I want to know more about 8a certified caucasian woman owned businesses in Alaska and Washington.
Thank you Janie Wilson

Janie - Please contact me at terry@uswomenschamber.com and I will give you details.

What is going to happen now? This press release seems to infer that the 5% preference for women will not be implemented any time soon.

     News Release
PRESS OFFICE

Release Date: March 11, 2005 Contact: Anne Marie Frawley (202) 205-6948
Release Number: 05-11 Internet Address: http://www.sba.gov/news

National Academy of Sciences Confirms SBA’s Concerns Regarding Study of Underrepresentation of Women-Owned Businesses in Federal Contracting

WASHINGTON – The National Academy of Sciences today released an independent report finding that a draft study prepared for purposes of implementing a preferential federal contracting program for women-owned small businesses is seriously flawed and should be revised in accordance with the report’s recommendations.

The U.S. Small Business Administration commissioned the analysis of the draft study to ensure that the draft study’s methodology would withstand judicial scrutiny under current court precedent.

The distinguished panel of university professors unanimously concluded that:

the disparity ratio estimates from the SBA Office of Federal Contract Assistance for Women Business Owners preliminary study (completed in late 2002) are not adequate to identify industries in which women-owned small businesses are underrepresented (or substantially underrepresented) in federal prime contracting.

The report also concluded that the draft study’s “estimates should not be used to designate industries in which to permit the use of preferential contracting programs for women-owned small businesses” and recommended that the SBA utilize more recent data and fully documented methods.

“We’re very pleased to have received this report from the prestigious National Academy of Sciences and we thank them for their assistance,” said Allegra McCullough, associate deputy administrator for Government Contracting and Business Development at SBA. “The SBA is currently reviewing the report’s recommendations and is committed to ensure that women-owned small businesses have all the possible opportunities for federal contracting.”

The National Academy of Sciences, founded in 1863 with a mandate to advise the federal government on scientific and technical matters, is a private, nonprofit, self-perpetuating society of distinguished scholars dedicated to the furtherance of science and technology for the benefit of the public welfare.

Persons interested in obtaining the full report, conclusion and recommendations may visit http://www.nap.edu/books/0309096111/html/.

# # #

We support the U>S> Women's Chamber of Commerce in their efforts to contact congressional leaders to help women business owners in their efforts to grow and prosper.

Thank you,

T. Pierce
President
One Nation Energy Solutions
401 Studemont
Houston, TX 77007

Hello,
I am interested in talking with other woman business owners who have gone through the 8(a) certification process. I am caucasian and would appriciate any resources and shared experiences. Thank you so much and have a good day,
Lisa
lcarman@t3w.com

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Edited by author 08-18-2006 11:22 AM
Has anyone actually read Public Law 106-544, Section 811(m)?

The Fedmarket.com team believes we might have found a mistake in it and need to be pointed in the right direction. We would like to find out who wrote the legislation or what committee approved it so we can talk to the experts in the legislation itself.

Can anyone help point me in the right direction? No one at the SBA or the US Women's Chamber have returned my calls or emails. My cell phone number is 312-636-5381 and my email is ekent@wrt-inc.com

Thank you, in advance, for your assistance!

Sincerely, Eileen Kent