Effective on April 1, 2011, the federal government's WOSB (Women-Owned Small Business) program officially started. The purpose of the WOSB Federal Contracting Program is to enable contracting officers to set aside certain contracts for competition among WOSBs for the provision of goods and services to the federal government. The WOSB program is for women-owned business that are underrepresented in 81 NAICS codes (North American Industry Classification System).
Restricting competition to qualified WOSBs and EDWOSBs increases their success to compete for, and win, federal contracts. The program also ensures a level playing field on which such small businesses can compete for federal contracting opportunities.
To be eligible for the WOSB program, a firm must be at least 51% owned and controlled by one or more women, and primarily managed by one or more women. The women must be U.S. citizens. The firm must be “small” in its primary industry in accordance with SBA's size standards for that industry.
Many Fortune 500 companies are now dedicated to diversity supply and are supporting their goal by purchasing from companies owned by women, veterans, minorities or the disabled.
As a certified women-owned business, Medcare tries to make people aware of this unique certification. We work with all different types of companies that are interested in supporting WOSB's, not just the federal government.
We'd love to hear from you about this issue! Does your company have a diversity spend program? If so how close are you to reaching your spend goal? If your company doesn't have a diversity program, are they planning to start one? Finally, what do you feel are the biggest obstacles and benefits to a diversity spend program?
Candy Wolff is the director of business development and corporate communications for Medcare.