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Abstract:
The federal government purchased goods and services valued at approximately $100 billion from small businesses in FY 2003, which was up from previous years. Moreover, in FY 2003, the federal government exceeded its small business contracting goal of 23 percent. Despite such achievements, implementation of the acquisition reforms enacted in the 1990s has limited small businesses' access to the federal procurement market. Federal agencies have, for instance, not met their goals for women, minorities, or veterans, and contract bundling and purchase cards may restrict small business opportunities. Meanwhile, both judicial actions and a reduction in the number of acquisition workers complicate matters. This paper discusses each of these issues and offers five recommendations that, if fully implemented, should ensure a brighter future for small businesses in the federal government marketplace.

Small business, procurement

Abstract:
Historically, small business in the U.S. has received a share of federal procurement dollars not quite commensurate with its relative importance in the U.S. economy. While 99.7 percent of all employer firms are small, they receive about 23 percent of direct federal procurements and close to 40 percent in subcontracting dollars. While subcontracting has been a part of the federal procurement framework, it has not received the same focus and attention as the prime contracting program. This paper is a cursory review of the procurement policy framework in the U.S. from 1958 to present, with a focus on the steps to improve the American small business subcontracting program in order to accommodate greater participation by these businesses in new and emerging global markets.

small business, procurement, subcontracting, subcontracts, federal, policy

Abstract:
This paper outlines the most important issues and opportunities facing small business owners and entrepreneurs in this election year. While it does not delve into policy solutions, the next administration will almost certainly need to address many of them, regardless of who wins the presidency.

small business, public policy, economy

Abstract:
This study examines the relationship between education and the choice to become self-employed using Panel Study of Income Dynamics data. It finds that educational attainment is an important determinant of self-employment. Goods-producing entrepreneurs tend to be in construction, whereas service-producing industries with a greater presence of the self-employed are in the "soft" service sectors. Multivariate logit regressions show that heads of household with post-baccalaureate experience are up to 8.3 percent more likely to be self-employed. Other characteristics include wealth (home ownership or the value of one's home), prior military service, age, marital status, race, Internet usage, and population size.

education, human capital, self-employed, self-employment, panel study of income dynamics, PSID, military service, wealth

Abstract:
This paper delves into the relation of collegiate education to the employment decision. We are able to identify specific characteristics of the individuals who are self-employed versus those who opt to work for a for-profit business, a not-for-profit entity, or the government (including the military). Specifically, this research utilizes the U.S. Department of Education's Baccalaureate & Beyond (B&B) data series, which tracks college and university graduates in the class of 1993. Unlike others who pursue wage-and-salary occupations in the not-for-profit or government sectors, students in the class of 1993 who were self-employed in 2003 were less likely to have earned or be currently enrolled in graduate education. Graduates with social science and "other" majors were more likely to be self-employed. In addition, those individuals who chose self-employment had shorter job tenures than others, such as those who now work for government or the military.

self-employment, college education, baccalaureate and beyond