Agencies Met Small Business Contracting Goals for Fifth Year Running

Federal agencies for the fifth year in a row met their mandatory goal of awarding 23 percent of their contracts to qualified small businesses, the Small Business Administration announced.

The total governmentwide percentage of 23.88 percent of contract dollars marks a slight drop from last year’s 24.34 percent, but the dollar total rose $5 billion to a record-setting $105.7 billion.

The government overall for the first time received an “A” in the annual scorecard measuring prime contracts to small businesses owned by women, small disadvantaged businesses, service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses, and small businesses located in Historically Underutilized Business Zones. Eight agencies received an “A+.”

“Every contract that gets in the hands of a small business owner is a win-win for the business, creating jobs in their communities, and boosting the nation’s economy,” said SBA Administrator Linda McMahon.

SBA works with each agency to set their own prime and subcontracting goals, and their performance is based on the agreed-upon goals, the agency noted. “The SBA ensures that the sum total of all of the goals exceeds the 23 percent target for the federal government as well as the socio-economic goals established by law.”