Are Government Contracts a Way UP for Women Entrepreneurs?

Government contracting is a big chunk o’ change for businesses both large and small. Last year federal government contracts alone -- never mind state and local -- gave $477 billion to private businesses. And 5% of those contracts are supposed to go to women-owned businesses.

That’s the good news. The bad news is … reality. That $477 billion was a 12% drop in spending from previous years, a drop that may continue given the ongoing fiscal rhetoric. And that 5% goal for women-owned businesses? It’s never been met.

But for those that get “through the pearly gates of government procurement,” it is an ongoing source of revenue that does not discriminate by gender or ethnicity, according to Julie Weeks, American Express OPEN Research Advisor and founder of Womenable.

That’s why I’m noodging here. Women entrepreneurs are under-represented in high-growth businesses. Yet, once they get inside the government contracting circle, their success rate is the same as that of other businesses. It’s a way to level the playing field and I’m all for that.

Weeks’ most recent report, Trends in Federal Contracting for Small Businesses is a little gloomy:

• lower government spending
• more competition for contracts
• small businesses spending more to get contracts
• you have to try and try and try again
• longer time to the “pearly gates” for women- and minority-owned businesses

But for some industries, such as professional or scientific services and goods-producing services, it may well be worth the investment. Once that first bid is won, the second comes soon after, and the life-time revenue breaks the $1 million mark no matter gender or race, according to Weeks.

The message is this is a tough but lucrative path. Thanks to the work of organizations like Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP), which has re-invigorated the 5% rule, women do have a chance to get through those pearly gates.

Laurie Simon owns Ombrella, holder of many government-contractor certificates. Government contracts offer a great growth potential but they are not for everyone. “It is almost like running two businesses. They’re that different,” she recently said in an interview with Nina Kaufman.

Simon advises partnering up with other companies and thinking big. Don’t be afraid to go after the prime contract rather than the sub contract.. By doing so, you eliminate layers of middle persons who siphon off potential profits that can be used to take better care of your own employees.

“I’ve worked with other women-owned businesses. We are going for top contracts, in the millions of dollars, she said, adding that it’s more socially responsible to take this route. “We can pay [our staff] better and take care of them in the long term.”

A woman after my own heart: socially responsible and business savvy.

Even more important is that experience counts -- a lot. And experience can be gained by

• working with others as subcontractors
• mentor-protege relationship, such as VIP program from Amex OPEN and WIPP
• taking classes online or in person
• working with businesses whose purpose it is to help you get a government contract.

Small businesses often lose bids because they don’t have the right certifications,don’t build the relationships they need, or haven’t honed their skills at pricing their products and services. That slows their start and means losing bids.

To tap into this highly competitive, lucrative, and women-friendly market, do your homework. Start learning about government contracting from these free resources. You may find the key to exponential growth for your business.

• Grow Your Business Through Certification and Contracting all levels of government
• GiveMe5 focus on women-owned businesses, federal contracts
• Small Business Administration, Contracting, all levels of government
• Procurement Technical Assistance Program federal focus
• TargetGov all levels of government
• OPEN Forum: Government Contracting federal focus
• VIP Mentorship focus on mentoring small businesses, particularly women-owned, federal contracts
• Lemongrass Consulting all levels of government

What has your experience been with government contracting? What helped you win the bid?