In its fourth annual small business procurement scorecard released Aug. 27, the U.S. Small Business Administration reported that small businesses won $96.8 billion in federal prime contracts in fiscal 2009, Oct. 1, 2008-Sept. 30, 2009.
The amount was a more than $3 billion improvement from fiscal 2008's federal contract number, according to a news release.
The $96.8 billion represents 21.89 percent of overall federal spending during fiscal 2009, falling short of the 23 percent SBA goal, the release said.
"This represents real progress, but not enough," SBA Administrator Karen Mills said in the release. "We must reaffirm our commitment to ensuring that the 23 percent goal is met and exceeded."
SBA graded 24 government agencies on each of their prime contracting goals established by Congress, utilizing an A through F grading scale, the results of which can be found
online.
Mills said contracts awarded by federal agencies to small businesses is mutually beneficial three-fold.
"Federal contracts awarded to small businesses are a win-win - providing small businesses with the opportunity to grow and create jobs, and offering innovative services and essential goods to the government at great value to the taxpayers," Mills said in the release.
The SBA released its first scorecard Aug. 20, 2007 in an effort to increase transparency and accountability, according to its Web site.[[In-content Ad]]
