Federal contract work has held the title of big business in Washington, D.C. for many years, particularly during the last decade. However, private companies awarded lucrative contracts in the past are seeing a rapid decrease in the value of current contracts.

America prides itself on having a free market system where liberties of the private sector prevail. Open competitive markets allow businesses to succeed or fail, which suggests that anyone can prosper from the invisible hand of capitalism.

As the world’s largest customer – purchasing more than $225 billion in goods and services annually – the United States government is a routine business partner with small businesses. If you can think of a product or service, it is highly likely that the federal government is buying.

The Small Business Administration hails women-owned businesses as important entities for the American economy, yet women continue to face unique obstacles to success in the business world.