Public Policy

Obama Administration Announces Efforts to Increase Access to Contracting Opportunities for Minority-Owned, Small Businesses

A new government-wide plan that includes federal agency procurement officials is holding more than 200 events this fall to share information on government contracting opportunities, including those available under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Commerce and SBA will support, monitor and track the impact of these efforts going forward to help ensure the Administration is maximizing opportunities for small businesses.

Small business owners can find out about federal contracting opportunities by visiting www.fedbizopps.gov. Local Commerce and SBA officials are also available in local offices across the country to assist small businesses interested in contracting opportunities. Contact information for local offices can be found at www.commerce.gov and www.sba.gov.

NAWBO-Supported H.R. 1700 Passes in House Committee

H.R. 1700, which establishes a National Women's History Museum on the Mall in Washington, D.C. to honor the role that women have played in American History, recently passed the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure by a voice vote. NAWBO leadership sent a letter in support of this bill.

"Less than 5 percent of the 2,400 national historic landmarks chronicle women's achievement and of the 211 statues here in the U.S. Capitol, only 10 are of female leaders," Rep. Maloney said. "The museums and memorials in Washington are one measure of what our society values. We already have museums for stamps and spies. This bill would provide women, comprising 53% of our population, a long overdue home to honor their many contributions to building our country."

"From Susan B. Anthony to Oprah Winfrey, from Hattie Caraway--the first woman elected to the U.S. Senate--to Julie Taymor--the first woman to win a Tony Award for directing--the story of what women have contributed to the American way of life is a story long overdue for the telling," she continued. "Women are indispensable to the functioning of society, but absent from the Mall and other prominent monument sites in Washington. We are overdue in giving women their due."

Norton also said she is particularly proud of the women who have raised funds and have persisted with the effort to build a museum for women in the nation's capital. Norton has been a strong proponent of the museum, not only because of its importance to women, but also because of its significant potential to bring to D.C., a major tourist town, new visitors and to encourage others to stay longer.

The bill directs the General Services Administration (GSA) to sell its old Cotton Annex property on the Mall at 12th and Independence to the museum at fair-market rates. The museum would be built and maintained with private funds.