About

Give Me 5: Education and Access for Women in Federal Contracts

In 2000, the federal government set a goal to award 5% of all contracts to women-owned businesses. The Give Me 5 Program, named after the 5% federal contracting goal for women-owned businesses, was created by Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP) and American Express OPEN to provide Education and Access for Women in Federal Contracts.

“Women business owners should have a greater share of government contracts and our partnership with WIPP is intended to make that a reality,” said Susan Sobbott, president of American Express OPEN. “Women-owned businesses are a driving force in the national economy, generating $2 trillion in sales and employing 13 million people.”

In February 2011, after 11 long years of work, the Women-Owned Small Business Federal Contract Program was finally enacted to help make that goal a reality. This program allows federal contracting officers to restrict competition for certain federal contracts to women-owned businesses.

Now that the Women-Owned Small Business Federal Contract Program has been enacted, it is up to us to ensure that it is successful. Give Me 5 offers the training and resources that women business owners need to take advantage of the federal contracts that are now being set aside in their name.

About Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP)

Women Impacting Public Policy is a national nonpartisan group comprising over half a million members. The non-profit organization is the public policy voice for over 50 national Women in Business groups and is The Voice for Women in Business in Our Nation's Capital. WIPP strengthens its members' sphere of influence in the legislative process, creates economic opportunities for members and builds alliances with other small business organizations. Visit www.wipp.org.