In late December, the Small Business Administration (SBA) proposed a rule for the Federal Register that would set aside contracts or work for women-owned small businesses (WOSB) in under-represented industries.
This proposal came as a result of a Rand Corporation statutory study which found that WOSBs were under-represented in certain industries. This conclusion was found based on two methodologies. The first is based off of how many contracts are awarded to the WOSB and the second, is based on the dollar amount of the contracts to the WOSB.
With this new rule, a contracting officer in any federal agency can set aside contracts or work in these under-represented industries.
These industries are:
National Security and Internal Affairs Coating Engraving Heat Treating Allied Activities Household and Institutional Furniture and Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturing Other Motor Vehicle Dealer
These contracts are limited to only small businesses owned by women or controlled by economically disadvantaged women and must not exceed $3 million ($5 million for manufacturing). Also, prior to making the reservation to the contract using the proposed rule, each agency is required to conduct and analysis to of its procurement history to determine if there is evidence of discrimination in that industry by the procuring agency.
For more details on this news story, click here or visit the SBA website at www.sba.gov
|
