Funneling federal business to women

President Clinton's executive order released last week requires agencies

to award 5 percent of all contracts to small, woman-owned businesses by:

* Developing a long-term comprehensive plan to award more contracts to woman-owned

businesses.

* Designating a senior acquisition official to identify and promote

contracting opportunities for woman-owned small businesses.

* Developing a mentor/protege program that includes woman-owned businesses.

* Offering industrywide training and technical assistance programs

for woman-owned businesses.

* Requiring agencies that fail to meet the 5 percent goal to establish

an action plan on how they will meet the goal in the future.