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