Business and Tax Lawyer Blog

Recently, the Small Business Administration has proposed a new rule pertaining to the Business Development Program, which is intended to help underrepresented and disadvantaged small businesses obtain more opportunities to compete for federal contracts.

A study by the SBA found that women-owned small businesses in particular were unequally represented in 83 industries such as software publishing and wireless telecommunications carriers. Under the new rule, certain government contracts will be set-aside for WOSBs.

Under this proposed plan, businesses must first be certified to be eligible to compete for the set-aside contracts. To be certified, a business must be more than half owned by women and must be primarily managed by women. Also, the new rule has abolished the requirement that businesses demonstrate past discrimination to become certified. In addition, WOSBs will be able to receive certification from a third party or may self certify.

Law makers are accepting public comments on the proposed ruled until May 3, 2010 either at this web address or by mail to Dean Koppel, Assistant Director, Office of Policy and Research, Office of Government Contracting, U.S. Small Business Administration, 409 3^rd St. SW, Washington, D.C 204156, reference RIN 3245-AG06.