Today, Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX 28) announced that women-owned small businesses can begin taking steps to participate in a new federal contracting program under the U.S. Small Business Administration. The new Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) Federal Contract Program will be implemented over the next several months, with the first contracts expected to be awarded by the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2011.

The WOSB Federal Contract Program will provide greater access to federal contracting opportunities f or WOSBs and economically-disadvantaged women-owned small businesses (EDWOSBs).  The Program allows contracting officers, for the first time, to set aside specific contracts for certified WOSBs and EDWOSBs and will help federal agencies achieve the existing statutory goal of five percent of federal contracting dollars being awarded to WOSBs.

“As our economy continues to recover, we must provide emerging small business with the tools they need to be successful and to take their business to the next level,” said Congressman Cuellar. “This program is a great boost for women-owned small businesses to equal access in contracting opportunities and increases chances of winning federal contracts. America’s women-owned businesses can lead to further job creation and flourish in this demanding time.”

To be eligible for the program, a company must be a small business that is at least 51 percent unconditionally and directly owned and controlled by one or more women who are U.S. citizens. To be deemed “economically disadvantaged”, a firm’s owners must meet specific financial requirements set forth in the program regulations.