Women-Owned Small Businesses — Nearly 45 Percent of Small Businesses in Virginia — Receive Significantly Less Federal Contracting Dollars from the VA than Requested by Congress

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Representative Abigail Spanberger backed an effort to promote federal contracting for women-owned small businesses, particularly through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

In 1994, Congress set a government-wide statutory goal for women-owned small business in the procurement of federal contracts — a goal that has only been met twice in 30 years. Currently, the VA has a goal of awarding five percent of its prime and subcontract awards to women-owned small businesses.In Fiscal Year 2023, the VA awarded the lowest amount of prime contracting dollars of any federal department to these businesses, awarding 2.58 percent of its prime contracts to women-owned small businesses and 1.73 percent of its subcontracts — much lower than the five percent goal. These goals, negotiated by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), provide support to underrepresented businesses interested in becoming federal contractors.

The Spanberger-backed Veterans Affairs Opportunity for Women-Owned Small Businesses Act would improve federal contracting opportunities for women-owned smallbusinesses. The bipartisan legislation would add the Women-Owned Small Business Federal Contract program to the list of SBA programs that must be prioritized by the VA when considering small businesses for federal contracting opportunities.

“Women entrepreneurs are an integral part of Virginia’s economic growth and success. Nearly 45 percent of small businesses in Virginia are women-owned, and these business owners have historically faced barriers to accessing federal contracts — particularly with the VA,” said Spanberger. “In Congress, I’m committed to breaking down barriers for women entrepreneurs in Virginia and across the country. By empowering women-owned businesses when awarding federal contracts, we can drive innovation and competition in the VA procurement process. This bipartisan legislation is a crucial step toward leveling the playing field and making sure that women entrepreneurs — especially those who served in uniform — have equal access to opportunities within the VA.”

The bipartisan bill would add the Women-Owned Small Business Federal Contract program to the third tier of the Vets First Contracting Program. Currently, Veteran-owned and service-disabled Veteran-owned small businesses represent the first two tiers.

The Spanberger-backed Veterans Affairs Opportunity for Women-Owned Small Businesses Act is endorsed by the Vietnam Veterans of America and Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America.

The legislation is led in the U.S. House by U.S. Representatives Lori Chavez-DeRemer (R-OR-05) and Val Hoyle (D-OR-04). Companion legislation is led in the U.S. Senate by U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN).

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