Bidding activity from small businesses for federal contracts dropped  significantly over the last 5 years, an August American Express government  contracting survey  says.

The company sent surveys to all small businesses registered within the System  for Award Management and performed on a contract in the last 5 years, receiving  684 responses.

Survey authors say the data shows small business submitting fewer bids or  proposals, with the average annual number dropping by 72 percent for prime  contract bids since 2007, the survey says. In 2012, small business respondents  submitted on average 7.9 bids or proposals, as opposed to 19.5 in 2007.

One reason for a decrease in bidding activity may be reductions in government  spending, the survey says.

Keep reading this article at: http://www.fiercegovernment.com/story/small-businesses-bid-fewer-contracts-over-last-5-years-survey-says/2013-08-14

Download the report at: http://assets.fiercemarkets.net/public/sites/govit/amexsurvey.pdf