Doing business with the Government is one way for women and minorities to level the playing field and win lucrative contracts for their business.

"The Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilitzation (OSDBU) is a small business advocacy and advisory office with the responsiblity for insuring that the small,minority, women owned and 8(a) concerns receive a fair share of Government contracts. " If you have or can develop a high tolerance for red tape and can muster the patience to deal with the bureacracy, you could reap big returns. It's like the famous answer someone gave when asked why he robbed banks: "Because that's where the money is." And we all know the Goverment is where the money is.

The Government's 8(a) program, under Small Business Administration, is particularly favorable to businesses which qualify, but also more stringent in its requirements. In essense, the government offers set-asides to the historically disadvantaged socially and economically. This definition includes Black Americans, Hispanic Americans, Native Americans, Asian Pacific Americans, and Subcontinent Asian Americans and others who may convince the certifying body they are disadvantaged. Set-asides are like manna from heaven to a business since they are not competitive. In other words, if you qualify as a small business, and you have received 8(a) certification the government has a certain number of contracts they have to award to 8(a)companies.

To qualify for the 8(a) program, a business must be"at least 51 percent unconditionally owned by an individual(s) who is a citizen of the United States who is determined by SBA to be socially and economically disadvantaged". Dealing with the government requires mastering certain intricacies of the procurement process and specialized laws which apply. This is why many don't bother to do it and therefore , leave a less crowded field of competitors for the government's money. The good news is that there is plenty of help available, and once you finally get into position as a contractor, winning subsequent contracts should become more routine.

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