FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:             News Media Contact:
October 17, 2000                        Rosemary Kimball (202) 418-0511


      FCC MANAGING DIRECTOR PROMULGATES POLICY IN SUPPORT 
      OF BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES FOR WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESSES

Washington, DC -- In response to Executive Order 13157, Increasing Opportunities for
Women-Owned Small Businesses, the Managing Director of the Federal Communications
Commission today promulgated the following policy:

It is the policy of the Federal Communications Commission to identify and vigorously
promote contracting opportunities for women-owned small businesses (WOSB) at the
Commission; and to support the development within the Commission of strategies aimed at
achieving a five-percent goal of Commission procurement for women-owned small businesses.

To implement this policy, the Office of Managing Director is designating a WOSB
advocate in its procurement division; developing a formal process for identifying and involving
women-owned small businesses in contract solicitations; tracking the level of success in reaching
the five-percent goal; and encouraging contract and procurement personnel to obtain further
training in the steps required for outreach to women-owned small businesses.

                             -FCC-