| The federal, state and local government | | | | health care and social assistance.Another |
| agencies throughout the United States are | | | | fascinating statistic from a different |
| looking to do business with women-owned firms | | | | organization, the Center for Women's Business |
| like never before. One of the key reasons is | | | | Research states that:* Businesses |
| that women-owned firms in the U.S. are | | | | majority-owned by women of color have grown |
| growing like never before.The federal | | | | six times faster than all U.S. firms between |
| government, along with many states and local | | | | 1997-2004. The number of firms increased by |
| government agencies, maintain goals regarding | | | | more than half (55%), number of employees |
| the contracts they target for women-owned | | | | increased by nearly two-thirds (62%), and |
| businesses. The federal government's goal is | | | | annual sales revenue increased by almost |
| 5% of the more than $300 billion in federal | | | | three quarters (74%).Firms owned by women |
| contracts which amounts to $15 billion in | | | | have the knowledge and capacity to perform |
| business opportunities that should be won by | | | | well in the government market. Generally |
| women-owned firms. This is both good news and | | | | their biggest hurdles are learning how to |
| bad news. The bad news is that this goal has | | | | break into the market and working within |
| never been reached. The good news is that | | | | government processes, rules and regulations. |
| there is a greater opportunity now than ever | | | | There are a number of organizations that are |
| before for women-owned firms to tackle and | | | | poised to help women-business owners tackle |
| win contracts in the government market.This | | | | this profitable market such as the SBA and |
| is a time of golden opportunity because the | | | | the National Women's Business Council. It is |
| SBA has finally issued the proposed | | | | a complicated maze, but one worth |
| regulations to implement the formal women's | | | | tackling!Gloria Berthold is President of |
| federal procurement program which was | | | | TargetGov, a national firm specializing in |
| approved as law over five years ago, but | | | | helping companies win government contracts in |
| never enacted. This important program | | | | federal, state and local governments. She can |
| provides a targeted option to enable federal | | | | be reached through the web site: or by |
| contracting officers to "set-aside" certain | | | | calling 866-579-1346.Gloria Berthold is |
| procurements for women-owned businesses. This | | | | president of TargetGov at Marketing Outsource |
| creates an unprecedented opportunity for | | | | Associates, Inc. and an expert in business |
| qualified women-owned firms to jump-start | | | | development in the corporate and government |
| their government contracting business.Can | | | | business arenas. She is a dynamic speaker and |
| women-owned business handle these | | | | book author and very adept at negotiating the |
| opportunities? The answer is a resounding | | | | government contracting maze. Her |
| yes. A recent report by the Office of | | | | accomplishments have included: Maryland |
| Advocacy of the U.S. Small Business | | | | Advocacy Director, Women Impacting Public |
| Administration (SBA) states that women-owned | | | | Policy (WIPP); Maryland's Top 100 Women 2004; |
| firms increased nearly 20 percent over the | | | | Winner of the Innovator of the Year Award |
| latest period studied. During the five years | | | | 2003; Past-Chairwoman of the Baltimore |
| between 1997 and 2002, women-owned firms grew | | | | Washington Corridor Chamber of Commerce; |
| by 19.8 percent while all U.S. firms grew by | | | | Past-President, The Columbia Business |
| seven percent.The report uses newly released | | | | Exchange; Business of the Year Volunteer |
| U.S. Census and other data to describe | | | | Award 2000 for the Business Women's Network. |
| women's contributions to the economy. | | | | She has been quoted in USA Today, Inc. |
| Statistics documented in the report include:* | | | | Magazine, Government Executive Magazine and |
| In 2002, women owned 6.5 million or 28.2 | | | | other publications.TargetGov is a government |
| percent of nonfarm U.S. firms. More than 14 | | | | business development resource that helps |
| percent of these women-owned firms were | | | | businesses of all sizes tackle the government |
| employers, with 7.1 million workers and | | | | contracting market. TargetGov helps you to |
| $173.7 billion in annual payroll.* According | | | | evaluate and identify your market, create |
| to 2002 data, significant proportions of | | | | effective strategies and tactics for |
| women-owned businesses were in professional, | | | | marketing to the federal government and |
| scientific, and technical services, and in | | | | develop winning proposals and contracts. |