Small Businesses Won Record $93.3 Billion in Federal Contracts

WASHINGTON – Small businesses won a record $93.3 billion in federal prime contracts in Fiscal Year 2008 (Oct. 1, 2007-Sept. 30, 2008), an increase of almost $10 billion from 2007, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration’s third annual small business procurement scorecard, released today. In addition, small disadvantaged businesses, women-owned businesses and service-disabled veteran-owned businesses increased their share of federal contracting dollars by at least $1 billion to $3 billion.
 
“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,” SBA Administrator Karen Mills said. “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.”
 
Earlier this week, the Obama Administration reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that minority-owned businesses, small businesses, including women and veteran-owned businesses have greater access to federal government contracting opportunities. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke and SBA Administrator Karen Mills announced a government-wide plan that includes federal agency procurement officials holding or participating in more than 200 events over the next 90 days to share information on government contracting opportunities, including those available under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. 
 
“President Obama has made a commitment to ensuring that small businesses have greater access to federal contracting opportunities and it is a commitment shared across this Administration,” Mills said.  “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.”