WIPP Launches Federal Certificate Program For Women Entrepreneurs

WASHINGTON, Feb. 19, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Women Impacting Public Policy  (WIPP) has recently launched The WIPP Federal Contracting Certificate Program to provide women entrepreneurs with credentials, recognition and tools to successfully compete in the federal marketplace.

Federal law mandates the U.S. Government to purchase at least five percent of its goods and services from women-owned small businesses (WOSBs), however, Barbara Kasoff, president of WIPP, says more than $4 billion is still up for grabs.

"To date, the government has yet to reach its five percent goal, leaving roughly $4 billion of opportunity for qualified WOSBs unmet," said Kasoff. "Our new program looks to provide women the necessary tools to ensure that the five percent goal is reached and eventually expanded."

WIPP's new program provides an educational pathway for women entrepreneurs to acquire contracting-ready credentials, a greater understanding of procurement policy, formal recognition in the federal market place and the ability to compete in government contracting. In addition, WIPP members who complete the program will be listed in the WIPP Directory of Qualified Contractors.

More than a decade has passed since federal law established a women's procurement program to assist the government in meeting its five percent goal. During that time, WIPP has provided many educational tools and resources to the women's business community, such as Give Me 5 and ChallengeHER.

Give Me 5 is an online education program created by WIPP and American Express OPEN to educate women entrepreneurs on how to successfully navigate the federal contract marketplace through a full range of courses. ChallengeHER is an initiative created by the SBA, American Express OPEN and WIPP to help expand the reach of impact by the WOSB Federal Contract Program.

"Small business contracting is one of the most important tools that we have at the federal level to help America's small businesses to grow and create jobs," said Kasoff. "For years we've been committed to educating and preparing women business owners for federal contracting opportunities, and our new program allows us to better connect women-owned small businesses with these contracting opportunities."

For more information and to enroll in The WIPP Federal Contracting Certificate Program, please visit www.wipp.org or email [email protected].

About WIPP
WIPP is a national nonpartisan public policy organization, advocating on behalf of women business owners and 75 organizations. Together, we form a coalition reaching over 4.7 million women. WIPP identifies important trends and opportunities and provides a collaborative model for the public and private sectors to increase the economic power of women-owned businesses. For more information, please visit www.wipp.org.

SOURCE Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP)