Government Contracting for Women — How to Get Started

I want to tell you about one of the most overlooked income opportunities for women entrepreneurs — and one that most mompreneurs don’t even know is accessible to them. Government contracting.

I know. It sounds intimidating. It sounds like something for big corporations and defense companies. But here is the truth: the federal government is legally required to set aside a portion of its contracts specifically for small businesses — and specifically for women-owned small businesses. There is money on the table and most women don’t even know they can sit at it.

What government contracting actually is

The federal government is the largest buyer of goods and services in the world. It buys everything — consulting services, IT support, administrative services, marketing, training, supplies, and more. And it is required by law to award a significant portion of those contracts to small businesses, including women-owned small businesses (WOSB). If you have a service-based business you likely already offer something the government buys.

The WOSB certification — what it is and why it matters

The Women-Owned Small Business Federal Contracting Program allows eligible women-owned businesses to compete for set-aside contracts in industries where they are underrepresented. Getting certified as a WOSB opens doors to contracts that are specifically reserved — meaning you’re not competing against massive corporations. You’re competing against other small, women-owned businesses.

How to get started

1. Register on SAM.gov — required for any business that wants to work with the federal government. Registration is free.
2. Get your WOSB certification — you can self-certify through SAM.gov or get certified through an approved third-party certifier.
3. Search for opportunities on SAM.gov — once you’re registered you can search for current contract opportunities filtered by set-aside type and industry.
4. Start with subcontracting — many women start in government contracting as subcontractors to prime contractors. This is a lower-barrier entry point that lets you build experience before pursuing prime contracts independently.

More overlooked opportunities every week. Join my free newsletter.