High five for female entrepreneurs

A free workshop on May 16 in Norfolk will help women-owned small businesses, or WOSBs, navigate a new program aimed at increasing their share of federal contracts.

"Give Me 5: Subcontracting and Teaming to Participate in the Women's Procurement Program" is from 9 a.m. to noon May 16 at the Hilton Norfolk Airport. The event dissects the U.S. Small Business Administration's WOSB Federal Contract Program, launched this year to fulfill a congressional mandate requiring the federal government to award 5 percent of all contracts to female-led companies. WOSBs currently receive 3.68 percent of federal contracting dollars, according to the SBA.

"Give Me 5" - as in "5 percent" - is a national program founded by Women Impacting Public Policy and American Express OPEN. It provides resources and education for female entrepreneurs seeking federal contracts.

Speakers at the local event include U.S. Rep. Scott Rigell, R-Virginia Beach; Jeff Brunner, contract and acquisition management officer for the U.S. Joint Forces Command; and Ann Sullivan, WIPP government relations expert and president of Madison Services Group. They will discuss subcontracting and teaming strategies related to the new SBA program, which authorizes the government to set aside contracts for female-owned companies in 83 male-dominated industries, from freight trucking to utility system construction.

"Give Me 5" also offers a series of webinars for dues-paying WIPP members. To learn more, visit www.giveme5.com.