The federal government spends more than $400 billion each year on everything from paper clips to human resources consulting. That amount of money results in a huge number of federal contracts being awarded, but only 3.4 percent of those federal contracts are going to women-owned businesses, according to the SBA. This, despite the fact that legislation passed in 2000 stipulates they should receive 5 percent of those contracts.

In response, Women Impacting Public Policy and American Express OPEN have developed a program designed to help women navigate the complex federal contracting system and secure the 5 percent of contracts mandated in the Equity in Contracting for Women Act. The program derives its name from the act. It's called Give Me Five: Education and Access for Women in Federal Contracts.

"Only 67,000 of the 10.1 million women-owned firms are registered on the CCR (Central Contractor Registry) and eligible to apply for federal contracts," says Susan Sobbott, president of American Express OPEN. "Give Me Five will help educate and engage women in the contracting process to help substantially fuel their business growth."

Through a blend of seminars, events and online resources, the Give Me 5 initiative can help women understand key steps they must take before they can apply for federal contracts, including registering a business with the CCR, certifying a business as woman-owned, identifying contracting opportunities and writing solid proposals.

OPEN and WIPP plan to educate as many as 100,000 women a year on the opportunities available from the federal government and enroll up to 5,000 women per year on the CCR.

A step-by-step account of the federal contracting process is available in a booklet co-authored by OPEN and WIPP. The booklet and more information can be found online at giveme5.com.