SBA Drops Final Rule for WOSB Sole Source --> Places Women Business Owners in Legal Jeopardy
On Friday, September 11, 2015, the Small Business Administration dropped the Final Rule: Women-Owned Small Business Federal Contract Program. Despite reports, findings and comments that show self-certification is wrought with fraud - and despite the fact that Congress acted to end self-certification, the SBA has implemented Sole Source without enforcing the removal of self-certification. The GAO reported for 1012 and 2013, 40% of federal contracts awarded under the WOSB program went to ineligible firms. Congress acted to end self-certification and add sole source capability. The SBA Inspector General filed a letter of comment asserting that the SBA does not have statutory authority to add sole source without having a viable certification program in place. And hundreds of U.S. Women’s Chamber of Commerce members stepped up to take exception as well. All of this has fallen on deaf ears – as the SBA continues to act as if it is above the law. Join us September 17, 2015 at 1:30pm for the next Policy Council meeting to delve into the regulation and discuss next steps to protect legitimately women-owned firms from ongoing abuse and fraud.
USWCC | Growth Masters Features High Growth Woman-Owned Firm
Join us for this on-line look at business growth – all are welcome. The next USWCC | Growth Masters meeting is being held on-line on September 16, 2015 from 11:30 – 1:30pm. Join us as we interview Atlanta based Crystal Blackwell, CEO of Staffing One, Inc. - beginning at her roots to success in operating her firm in 34 states. Learn from the decisions Crystal made along the way, the challenges she faced and overcame and, of course, her success. Register today.
USWCC Looking for Leaders
Ready to take a more active role in you Chamber? Join us September 21 and 22, 2015 for the next USWCC Leader Training. As a US Women's Chamber of Commerce Leader, you can help drive economic growth in a number of areas by taking the lead in your region for one of our many USWCC Councils. Register today.
USWCC Announces Regional Women's Economic Summits
Women are shown to earn only $.77 to a man’s dollar, and the economics get worse for women owned firms who own 36% of all businesses in the U.S. but have hit an annual loss of $10 Trillion.
Join Sally Rutledge-Ott, USWCC Regional Director, and Margot Dorfman USWCC CEO on September 30, 2015 for the Southern Illinois Women's Economic Summit for an in-depth look at the Women’s Economic Priorities and discussion on your priorities for the region. Speakers include:
- Heidi Brown-McCreery, Chief of Staff, Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
- Valerie Ross, Manager, Small Business Administration, Springfield
- Mike Sullivan, Director of Outreach, Small Business Development Center
- Kathie Cravens, CGIP, MIEx, SBDC International Trade Specialist
- Mary Turner, Center Director, ILPTAC
- Joe Kim, Illinois Vendor Procurement
Thank you to the Effingham County Chamber of Commerce for hosting this event.
Become part of the solution – take an active role in your region to advance your economic priorities. Register today.
USWCC Showcases Women-Owned Firms
Showcasing your firm is easy. Now at www.womenowned.us, The U.S. Women’s Chamber of Commerce on-line business and supplier directory provides our members with great visibility while allowing you to connect with other businesses to respond to sources sought notices, team or simply do business with other USWCC members. Tools include – your business bug rotating on the home page, enhanced searches and the ability to view certified women-owned firms. Additionally, USWCC Leaders are promoting this tool to buyers at government, prime, commercial and women across the U.S.
Please make sure to log in to www.womenowned.us using your USWCC information and update your profile (including your logo and picture) while we work to market your firm.
USWCC National Small Business Contracting Summit – DC Fall Conference Agencies Confirmed
Get a jump on 2016 contracts - Join us for the National Small Business Contracting Summit – DC Fall Conference. This two day event features Accountability in Contracting, taking your business to the next level through education and action, congressional meetings, agency/prime updates and forecast briefings and one-on-one agency/prime meetings. Agencies and Large Prime Contractors already confirmed include: Army, DOD, DHA, DHS, DLA, DOE, DOT, EPA, GSA, NASA, NGS, Treasury, USAID, USDA, Washington-DC, Accenture, Aptima, BAE, Kelly Government Services, National Government Services, SAIC, Skanska and Tetra Tech. Register today.