Other State Department Archive Sites

The State Department web site below is a permanent electronic archive of information released online from January 1, 1997 to January 20, 2001. Please see www.state.gov for current material from the Department of State. Or visit http://2001-2009.state.gov for information from that period. Archive sites are not updated, so external links may no longer function. Contact us with any questions about finding information. NOTE: External links to other Internet sites should not be construed as an endorsement of the views contained therein.

U.S. Department of State Office of the Spokesman Press Statement

Notice to the Press
March 10, 1999

Secretary Albright and SBA Administrator Alvarez To Sign
Memorandum of Understanding to Increase
Women-Owned Business Contracting Opportunities

Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright and Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration Aida Alvarez, will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Wednesday, March 15, at 2:00 p.m. in the State Department Treaty Room. Secretary Albright and Administrator Alvarez will each make brief remarks at the time of the signing.

The signing ceremony is OPEN for press coverage. Pick-up time for cameras is 1:30 p.m. from the C Street Lobby; writers will be picked up at 1:45 p.m.

The MOU commits the Department of State to increase participation of women-owned small businesses in the Department's prime and subcontracting opportunities, with a goal of awarding at least 5 percent of its federal procurement dollars to woman-owned firms. This minimum goal was established by the Federal Acquisition Streamlining Act of 1994, signed into law by President Clinton. The Department of State voluntarily began setting a distinct women's business contracting goal a year before the law required us to do so. In fiscal year 1998, the Department awarded 5.96 percent of its domestic procurement budget to small, women-owned firms.

The MOU will remain in effect for a period of two years and is renewable.

[end of document]