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IPP
has been working to open doors for women-owned businesses
in the federal marketplace on two tracks. One is
public policy. The organization has been responding
to proposed regulations regarding contract bundling
and certification that small businesses are truly
small businesses.
We
have called upon the SBA to clean up its databases
and were instrumental in stopping implementation
of the SBA Exchange Program, which charges small
businesses for information that is free from the
government.
WIPP
has worked tirelessly with the House and Senate
Small Business Committee to implement the stalled
program that would allow contracting officers to
designate contracts for bids only for women-owned
businesses.
Through
the SBA Reauthorization Act, which is currently
being considered by Congress, many provisions that
strengthen the hand of small businesses in contracting
and subcontracting are a direct result of WIPP's
work with the Small Business Committees on Capitol
Hill.
One
of the biggest complaints we hear from business
owners is that prime contractors include them in
their subcontracting plans, but when the contract
is awarded, they are never used by the prime contractor.
The Senate version of the Reauthorization Act requires
the president of the prime contracting firm to sign
his or her name, certifying to the government that
the company will use the subscontractors listed
in the subcontracting plan unless the small business
is no longer in business.
Perhaps
the most important role WIPP plays in the contracting
arena is daily pressure on our legislators to stay
abreast of the actions federal agencies are taking
regarding the awarding of contracts. It is only
through this constant pressure, with WIPP's united
membership of 450,000 women in business, that changes
will be implemented. Currently, only 2.9 percent
of all federal contracts are awarded to women-owned
firms.
On
the second track, WIPP helps to acquaint women business
owners with the federal agencies with whom they
want to do business. We assist them in understanding
the time and financial commitment it will take to
contract with the government and give them strategies
to be successful.
Our
"Get in the Game" program customizes an intense
day of meetings in Washington with the federal agencies
to provide introductions and directions on navigating
the agencies of their choice. We also offer a one-day
seminar to help our members get on the GSA schedule.
Bernadette
Mounts, director of one of the GSA Federal Supply
Service Centers, works with our members to ensure
they are prepared to do the paperwork necessary
to get on a GSA schedule. Both the "Get in the Game"
program and this seminar save our members time and
money - something vital to every businesswoman.
-Terry
Neese and Barbara Kasoff, WIPP Co-Founders
Contact WIPP at www.wipp.org
(This
article is reprinted from the Fall 2003 edition
of Enterprising Women magazine. Copyright
2003, Enterprising Women Inc. Reproduction in whole
or part is prohibited, except by permission of the
publisher.)
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