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Choose a program category from which to view a frequently asked question.
Category:
Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB)
Questions
Q1. What is a women-owned small business?
Q2. What legislation governs the federal-wide WOSB Program?
Q3. Do I need to obtain a certification to qualify for the WOSB Program?
Q4. How do I start selling to the Air Force?
Q5. What is the Air Force Women-Owned Small Business Program?
Q6. Why should WOSBs be interested in doing business with the U.S. Air Force?
Q7. Can you tell me how other WOSBs achieved success in Air Force contracting?
Q8. Where can I obtain general information on topics like federal-wide WOSB goals and resources, financing, and writing a business plan?
Q9. Where can I learn more about the Air Force's small business programs and obtain training on topics like CCR, the HUBZone and Indian Incentive Programs, and other topics concerning government procurement rules and procedures from an Air Force perspective?
Answers
A1. What is a women-owned small business?
A women-owned small business concern, as defined by Federal Acquisition Regulations Part 2.101, is "a small business concern-
(1) That is at least 51 percent owned by one or more women; or, in the case of any publicly owned business, at least 51 percent of the stock of which is owned by one or more women; and
(2) Whose management and daily business operations are controlled by one or more women."
A2. What legislation governs the federal-wide WOSB Program?
A handful of legislative documents pertain to the WOSB Program. Four main documents include (1) Executive Order 12138, signed in May of 1979, which created a "National Women's Business Enterprise Policy"; (2) the Women's Business Ownership Act of 1988 (Public Law 100-533), which directed the U.S. Small Business Administration to develop a financial assistance program, created the National Women's Business Council, and directed the Bureau of Labor Statistics to track statistics on WOSBs; (3) the Federal Acquisition Streamlining Act of 1994 (Public Law 103-355), which established a federal-wide goal to award five percent of all prime contracts to women-owned small businesses; and (4) Executive Order 13157, signed in May of 2000, which set forth guidelines as to how federal agencies and the U.S. Small Business Administration should organize their efforts to assist WOSBs.
A3. Do I need to obtain a certification to qualify for the WOSB Program?
No, certification is not required to qualify as a women-owned small business in federal contracting. However, some local governments and contractors seeking suppliers or subcontractors require that WOSBs that wish to do business with them obtain a certification. Be sure to check with a representative from each local government or prime contractor you wish to do business with to learn more about their specific requirements.
A4. How do I start selling to the Air Force?
See our "Getting Started" pages or visit the Small Business Learning Center and take the online tutorial entitled "How to Sell to the Air Force."
A5. What is the Air Force Women-Owned Small Business Program?
The Air Force's Women-Owned Small Business Program consists of a Program Manager at the headquarters level, Small Business Directors at each Major Command and Direct Reporting Unit, and a Small Business Specialist at every Air Force base. This network of small business advocates is committed to providing the most effective and innovative methods of assistance to meet the needs of women-owned small businesses (WOSBs) that wish to do business with the Air Force.
The overall objective of the Air Force's Women-Owned Small Business Program is to assist WOSBs in gaining prime contracts with the Air Force. When that is not possible, we aim to help those businesses pursue subcontracts, joint ventures, and other partnering programs.
A6. Why should WOSBs be interested in doing business with the U.S. Air Force?
The federal government buys billions of dollars worth of products or services from small businesses every year. Although agencies cannot set aside contracts for a sole WOSB source or for competition only among WOSBs, the federal government has set a goal to award five percent of all its prime contract awards to WOSBs. Each agency, including the Air Force, has partnered with the U.S. Small Business Administration to establish individual agency goals. These goals work in concert to help the government achieve its federal-wide goals. The Air Force has a goal to award 2.1 percent of all prime contracts to women-owned businesses in fiscal year 2005. The agency is determined to meet that goal and help WOSBs attain contract awards commensurate with their skills, knowledge and capabilities.
A7. Can you tell me how other WOSBs achieved success in Air Force contracting?
Sure! Read these inspiring WOSB Success Stories.
A8. Where can I obtain general information on topics like federal-wide WOSB goals and resources, financing, and writing a business plan?
The U.S. Small Business Administration is your major federal government point-of-contact for all small business issues. The SBA's website contains tools regarding financing, writing a business and marketing plan, getting started in federal contracting, and other general topics. SBA's site also contains tools for WOSBs specifically and a list of Women's Business Centers throughout the country.
A9. Where can I learn more about the Air Force's small business programs and obtain training on topics like CCR, the HUBZone and Indian Incentive Programs, and other topics concerning government procurement rules and procedures from an Air Force perspective?
The Air Force's Small Business Program is unique in that it has an office, the Air Force Outreach Program Office (AFOPO), dedicated to providing training and outreach activities to acquisition professionals and small businesses. Take advantage of the resources that the AFOPO offers. Learn more about them here.
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