Subcontracting:
New businesses often start as subcontractors to established federal contractors. SBA’s SubNet and DSBS databases help find these opportunities.
together we can do this
Copy and send this letter to the people below
Dear _____________________
I would like you to propose and help pass a law to:
I would like you to propose and help pass a law to:
- Raise from 5% to 15% the amount of federal contract dollars that must go to women-owned small businesses (which would raise from 23% to 33% the amount that must go to small businesses in general).
- Define a small business as 100 or less employees – because 98% of all businesses in America have less than 100 employees. Small business contracts should not go to firms with 500, 1,000, or 2,000 employees, as they do now.
- Make the Small Business Administration prove that small business contracts go to small businesses.
- Give the SBA a budget and staff as big as its mission (to help small businesses). The Trump administration is cutting the SBA budget and staff and plans to burden it with the $1.7 trillion dollar student loan portfolio, perhaps setting it up to fail.
Women are half the population. They own 40% of all businesses.
But they get less than 5% of federal contract dollars. Men get at least 95%.
Without economic fairness, women can’t be political equals.
Men dominate in politics because they earn and save more than women.
That must change.
Men give more to politicians and therefore have more influence. It’s easier for men to run for office. Men hold roughly 75% of seats in the House, Senate, State Legislatures, and cabinet positions, almost that many governorships, and 90% of committee chair and party leadership positions.
Raising from 5% to 15% the amount of federal contract dollars that must go to women-owned small businesses would raise the amount going to small businesses in general from 23% to 33%, pump $264 billion dollars into our economy, and create 3.3 million jobs (on top of the 2 million jobs that America typically creates).
That’s because every 1% increase of contracts to small businesses creates 100,000 new jobs, according to the Senate small business committee Chair in 2010.
Women own over 14 million businesses generating $2.7 trillion in revenue, employing over 12 million workers, spanning all major industries, with increasing representation in finance, insurance, real estate, transportation, and warehousing. They sell what the federal government buys.
Small businesses are supposed to get 23% of all federal contract dollars.
Every year we’re told that goal has been met or surpassed. Unfortunately, Congressional investigations and SBA Inspector General reports have found that billions of dollars in federal contracts that are supposed to go to small businesses go to big businesses every year.
The American Small Business League (ASBL.com) has found the same thing in 100+ Freedom of Information legal victories against the Pentagon, NASA, the SBA, and more.
Please get fairness for women by raising the contract dollars that must go to women-owned small businesses and make sure that big businesses do not get small business contracts.
I’d love a positive reply from you or your office. Thank you very much.
Sincerely,
But they get less than 5% of federal contract dollars. Men get at least 95%.
Without economic fairness, women can’t be political equals.
Men dominate in politics because they earn and save more than women.
That must change.
Men give more to politicians and therefore have more influence. It’s easier for men to run for office. Men hold roughly 75% of seats in the House, Senate, State Legislatures, and cabinet positions, almost that many governorships, and 90% of committee chair and party leadership positions.
Raising from 5% to 15% the amount of federal contract dollars that must go to women-owned small businesses would raise the amount going to small businesses in general from 23% to 33%, pump $264 billion dollars into our economy, and create 3.3 million jobs (on top of the 2 million jobs that America typically creates).
That’s because every 1% increase of contracts to small businesses creates 100,000 new jobs, according to the Senate small business committee Chair in 2010.
Women own over 14 million businesses generating $2.7 trillion in revenue, employing over 12 million workers, spanning all major industries, with increasing representation in finance, insurance, real estate, transportation, and warehousing. They sell what the federal government buys.
Small businesses are supposed to get 23% of all federal contract dollars.
Every year we’re told that goal has been met or surpassed. Unfortunately, Congressional investigations and SBA Inspector General reports have found that billions of dollars in federal contracts that are supposed to go to small businesses go to big businesses every year.
The American Small Business League (ASBL.com) has found the same thing in 100+ Freedom of Information legal victories against the Pentagon, NASA, the SBA, and more.
Please get fairness for women by raising the contract dollars that must go to women-owned small businesses and make sure that big businesses do not get small business contracts.
I’d love a positive reply from you or your office. Thank you very much.
Sincerely,
Do It Today
Contact
Donald J. Trump, President of the United States of America
Email President Donald Trump
Contact Form: https://www.whitehouse.gov/contact
Contact Your Congressional Representatives
Email Your
Representatives
Find your Congressman and their email address or contact form by searching your zip code, here: http://house.gov
Call your
Representatives
Call the number below and connect with one of your representatives by sharing the representative's name or state to get connected. (202)225-3121
Contact Your 2 Senators
Email Your
Senators
Find your Senators and their email address or contact form by selecting your state, here: https://www.senate.gov
Call your
Senators
Call the number below and connect with one of your senators by telling the operator your state and choosing a senator to connect with
Phone: (202) 224-3121
Contact The House Committee on Small Business
Write to The House Committee on Small Business
House Small Business Committee, Republican Office 2361 Rayburn House Office Building (RHOB) Washington, D.C. 20515
Write to The Honorable Roger Williams-Chairman
U.S. House Committee on Small Business 2631 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515
Call The House Committee on Small Business
Call the number below, and either leave your message with the operator to be transcribed for the committee, or ask to speak with or leave your message for a specific committee member
Phone: (202) 225-5821
Visit the House Committee on Small Business Website
Website: https://smallbusiness.house.gov/
Write to The House Committee on Small Business Democrats
Committee on Small Business Democrats 2369 Rayburn Office Buiulding (RHOB) Washington, D.C. 20515
Write to The Honorable Nydia Velazques - Ranking Member
U.S. House Committee on Small Business 2069 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515
Call to The House Committee on Small Business Democrats
You can call the number below to share that you'd like to lobby the committee, speak to someone on the small business committee, or share a comment. You can also set up a meeting about your small business or group.
Phone: (202) 225-4038
Fax The House Committee on Small Business Democrats
Fax: (202) 225-7209
Visit The House Committee on Small Business Democrats
Contact The House Committee on Small Business, Contracting and Infrastucture Subcommittee
Contact the Contracting and Infrastructure Subcommittee Republican Congressional Members
Find their information, here:
https://smallbusiness.house.gov
Contact The U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business
& Entrepreneuship
Write the Honarable Joni Ernst-Chair
Committee on Small Business & Entrepreneurship
United States Senate
428A Russell Senate Office Building
Washington D.C. 20510
Write the Honarable Edward Markey-Ranking member
Committee on Small Business & Entrepreneurship
United States Senate
428A Russell Senate Office Building
Washington D.C. 20510
Call for information on specific hearings, legistation, letters,
or general small business issues
Call (202) 224-5175 for the Republican Line
Call (202) 224-0507 for the Democratic Line
Contact Kelly Loeffler, Administrator of the SBA
Email: sba.administrator@sba.gov
together we can do this
Economic and political fairness
Raise Awareness
Share the facts. Talk about the disparity. Use your platform to ask why women are still being left behind.
Contact Your Reps
Hold elected officials accountable. Ask them how they’re enforcing the 5% law — and why they’re tolerating failure.
Empower Women
Donate to support outreach, legal efforts, and public pressure. Every dollar helps fight a decades-old imbalance.
OUR ADVOCATES, OUR STRENGTH
Here’s more you can do
Send the same kind of message to the members of the House and the Senate small businesses committees, especially the Chairmen.
Send the same kind of message to Kelly Loeffler, Administrator of the Small Business Administration (sba.gov/ about-sba/organization/contact-sba).
Send the same kind of message to President Trump at the White House (whitehouse.gov/contact).
Inform the following types of organizations about this issue and ask that they, too, contact everyone above.
A women’s business group in your local community.
A women’s business group at your statewide level.
A local media outlet (newspaper or TV or radio station).
A statewide media outlet (newspaper or TV or radio station).
Make a new habit. Once or twice a week, bring up this issue in conversation. Tell people to visit DontCheatWomen.com and contact everyone on this page.
Together, we can make a difference.
Together, we can get for women-owned small businesses the fairness and the prosperity they deserve.
OUR PURPOSE, YOUR IMPACT
Here’s more you can do:
1. Send the same kind of message to the members of the House and the Senate small businesses committees, especially the Chairmen.
2. Send the same kind of message to Kelly Loeffler, Administrator of the Small Business Administration (sba.gov/ about-sba/organization/contact-sba).
3. Send the same kind of message to President Trump at the White House (whitehouse.gov/contact).
4. Inform the following types of organizations about this issue and ask them to spread the word and contact their representatives and senators.
A women’s business group in your local community.
A women’s business group in your state.
A local media outlet (newspaper, TV, radio, or podcast).
A statewide media outlet (newspaper, TV, radio, or podcast)
A national media outlet (newspaper, TV, radio, or podcast)
5. Make a new habit. Once or twice a week, bring up this issue in conversation. Tell people to visit DontCheatWomen.com and contact everyone on this page.
Together we can make a difference.
Together we can get for women-owned small businesses the fairness and the prosperity they deserve.
“I’ve built my business from the ground up—but when it comes to federal contracts, it feels like the doors are locked. We deserve the same opportunities as everyone else.”
Camila Reyes
Founder, Everbloom Interiors
“I didn’t even know women like me could apply for federal contracts until I heard about this campaign. Now I’m ready to go after what’s mine—with confidence.”
Tasha Green
CEO, Green Spark Logistics
“For too long, the system told us to stay small. But women-owned businesses are the future of this economy, and it's time policies reflected that.”
Dr. Leena Patel
Co-Founder, Pulse Health Solutions
EXPOSING THE REALITY
How to Apply for Federal Contracts
When we search on the Small Business Administration’s website, sba.gov, it’s not easy to find what federal contracts small businesses can apply for, nor how they should be applied for.
So, we asked an AI platform, perplexity.ai, “how can small businesses find and apply for small business contracts?” and got the following information. Everything from here to the end of this page is from perplexity.ai. We wanted to give you some place to start. We hope to improve this information over time. If you know or discover anything useful, please send it our way, at info@asbl.com. Thank you very much.
Don’t Cheat Women
So, we asked an AI platform, perplexity.ai, “how can small businesses find and apply for small business contracts?” and got the following information. Everything from here to the end of this page is from perplexity.ai. We wanted to give you some place to start. We hope to improve this information over time. If you know or discover anything useful, please send it our way, at info@asbl.com. Thank you very much.
Don’t Cheat Women
ENOUGH TALK. TIME FOR ACTION.
Best Websites for Learning How to Apply for Federal Small Business Contracts - according to perplexity.ai
Several official U.S. government websites provide clear, step-by-step guidance for Americans—especially small business owners—who want to learn how to apply for federal contracts. These resources are widely recognized as the most authoritative and user-friendly starting points:
1. U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)
The SBA’s Federal Contracting section is the most comprehensive and accessible resource for small businesses. It offers a detailed contracting guide, explains the basic requirements, and provides a step-by-step overview of the process—from determining if your business is ready, to registering, finding opportunities, and submitting bids.
The SBA also explains special programs for disadvantaged, women-owned, veteran-owned, and HUBZone businesses, and offers links to further training and local assistance.
2. System for Award Management (SAM.gov)
SAM.gov is the official portal where all federal contract opportunities over $25,000 are posted. Small businesses must register here to be eligible for federal contracting. The site allows users to search for opportunities, track changes, and access award data. SAM.gov also provides tutorials and help guides for new users.
3. General Services Administration (GSA)
The GSA’s “Sell to Government” and “Small Business” pages offer practical guides on how to do business with the federal government, including how to get on GSA schedules, which can streamline access to government buyers.
The GSA also provides training, events, and forecast tools for upcoming opportunities.
4. Department of Defense (DoD) Office of Small Business Programs
The DoD provides a step-by-step guide (business.defense.gov) specifically for businesses interested in defense contracts, including links to free local support through APEX Accelerators and Small Business Development Centers.
5. U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Their guides (uschamber.com) summarize the process, highlight essential steps (such as finding your NAICS code and registering in SAM), and explain the importance of subcontracting as a pathway to prime contracts.
THE FUTURE WE’RE BUILDING
Why This Moment Matters
This isn’t new — but it’s newly urgent.
talk isn’t enough
After decades of inaction, people are finally talking about equity, fairness, and the role public money plays in shaping opportunity. But talk isn’t enough.
create winners
The federal government is the largest buyer of goods and services in the world. That spending creates winners — and leaves others behind. If women aren’t given a fair shot at those dollars, nothing about “equal opportunity” is real.
Join this fight
Joining this fight isn’t symbolic. It’s structural. It’s about forcing the largest economic engine in the country to treat women like they belong at the table.
EXPOSING THE REALITY
Additional Tips
1
2
Training and Events:
Many agencies and SBA offices offer free workshops, webinars, and networking events for small businesses.
3
Local Support:
SCORE, SBDCs, and APEX Accelerators provide personalized help, often at no cost.
Name
Description
Historical/Key Influence
Association of Women’s Business Centers (AWBC.org)
A network of about 150 WBCs (counselling, training, and advocacy for women entrepreneurs in every state and Puerto Rico)
It plays a substantial advocacy role at the federal level.
National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO.org)
Represents women entrepreneurs across all industries, with 60+ chapters nationwide.
Instrumental in shaping economic and policy discussions affecting women-owned businesses.
Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC.org)
Largest certifier of women-owned businesses in the U.S., supporting access to contracts and business opportunities.
Certification is accepted by over 1,000 corporations and governmental entities.
U.S. Women’s Chamber of Commerce (USWCC.org)
Focuses on leadership, government contracting, and economic policy for women business owners.
Policy advocacy at the federal and state levels.
eWomen Network (ewomennetwork.com)
Globally supporting 500,000+ women entrepreneurs through networking and business development opportunities.
Aims to help one million women achieve $1 million+ in annual revenue.
Ellevate Network (ellevatenetwork.com)
Professional women’s network focusing on career and workforce advancement, driven by social and environmental impact.
B Corp-certified with a robust platform for peer support and development.
Women’s Business Development Center (WBDC.org)
Nonprofit advancing women and minority-owned businesses with services, programs, and financing support.
Established in 1986 and operating in the Midwest.
National Women’s Business Council (NWBC.gov)
Federal advisory council to Congress, the White House, and the SBA, representing the interests of women business owners.
Authoritative source of policy recommendations and research..
Family Enterprise USA Women’s Business Owners Group (familyenterpriseusa.com)
Coalition advocating for the economic interests of family-owned women’s businesses and policy change.
Newly influential advocacy on Capitol Hill.
Office of Women’s Business Ownership, SBA (sba.gov)
Runs the national network of Women's Business Centers, offers resources, training, and access to federal contracts and capital.
Created in 1988; significant public-private partnership.
Women Impacting Public Policy (wipp.org)
Advocating on behalf of women entrepreneurs—strengthening their impact on our nation’s public policy,
Has reviewed and taken positions on many economic issues and policies which affect the bottom line of the WIPP membership.
But WAIT!
There is More You Can Do
Spread the Word
Post, email, and share our message. Use our resources in newsletters and social media to raise awareness.
Share Your Story
If you own or work for a WOSB affected by lost opportunities, email us at info@asbl.com.
We are done accepting the silence. Done accepting the scraps. Done waiting for fairness to come by accident.
Let’s fix what’s broken — together.
Together we can get economic and political fairness for women and unleash prosperity for the middle class.
