Aug 21st 2009

Recently released SBA figures for FY08 showed that while small businesses received a record $93.3 billion in federal contracts in FY08 ($10 billion more than in FY07), the percentage of dollars going to small businesses actually decreased slightly, from 22% to 21.5%.

SBA Administrator Karen Mills said "This record $93.3 billion in contracts to small businesses is significant. However, across the federal government we are committed to ensuring that the 23 percent goal is met and even exceeded going forward.  Especially during these tough economic times, federal contracts for small businesses can be just the opportunity they need to continue to grow and create jobs. At the same time, the federal government gets access to some of the most innovative and best products and services."

Progress has also been made with small disadvantaged, women-owned and service-disabled, veteran-owned businesses, with most of these groups receiving a slightly larger piece of the federal procurement pie.

A recently announced small and minority-owned business outreach program helps the agency connect these small businesses with federal contracting opportunities.  Karen Mills said that "We have already begun taking aggressive steps to connect small businesses with contracting opportunities, as well as increase our outreach to federal agency procurement officers to make sure they get the information and tools they need to help them connect with these good, innovative small companies."

http://www.govexec.com/story_page.cfm?articleid=43453&dcn=e_gvet

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