How to Do Business With The Government
Enterprising Women Magazine - Fall 2003
"YOU NEED TO UNDERSTAND CLEARLY WHAT GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS REQUIRE AND HAVE A 'CHECK' ON YOURSELF WITH TEAM MEMBERS OR A LEGAL CONSULTANT TO ASSURE THAT YOU KNOW ALL THE REQUIREMENTS," SAYS GLORIA BOHAN. "THE GOVERNMENT CAN BE VERY FAIR, BUT THEY EXPECT COMPLIANCE."
Omega Milestones
1972 Gloria Bohan opens the doors of Omega World Travel, Inc. in fredericksburg, VA
1978 Omega opens one of the first 24-hours reservation services.
1982 Omega is awarded travel management contracts under a test program by the federal government, opening the door to Omega becoming one of the largest government contractors in the country.
1983 Omega is the first agency to install airline reservation terminals on client's premises thus pioneering the on-site office concept.
1984 Omega becomes the largest travel agency to share a common database between branch offices, providing centralize billing and reporting data to its commercial clients.
1985 Inc. Magazine recognizes Omega as one of the fastest growing companies in the United States.
1987 Omega installs the travel industry's largest back office and accounting system.
1991 Omega is one of the first travel agencies to install an automated low fare quality control system.
1994 Omega begins its global travel management program, opening offices in Japan to service clients in all parts of Asia.
1995 Omega continues to stay at the leading edge of automated travel technology by deploying two new products, Megafax and MegaMail, enabling travelers to receive flight information and make reservations more efficiently.
1996 Omega acquires a London based travel agency and opens six offices in the U.K., enabling Omega to serve clients all across Europe.
1997 Omega offers clients complete on-line booking capabilities and T & E solutions.
1998 Omega introduces Cruise.com, which quickly becomes the Internet's largest cruise specialist.
2000 Omega introduces MegaSousce, customized leisure sites for use by corporations.
2002 Omega becomes one of the first travel management companies to introduce access to web fares via online booking tools.

Gloria Bohan's Omega World Travel
While most women have honeymoons that are memorable, few of them result in the launching of a billion dollar business.

But it was Gloria Bohan's honeymoon cruise aboard the Queen Elizabeth 2 that inspired her interest in the travel industry. Thirty-one years ago, Bohan founded Omega World

Travel. Since that time, she's transformed her one-person office into a travel agency with sales revenues in excess of $1 billion a year, with 200-some company offices and 1,100 employees worldwide.

Omega has been ranked as the largest woman-owned business in the metropolitan Washington, D.C. area and the fifth largest travel agency in the United States.

Approximately 40 percent of Omega's billion dollar business Comes from the United States government. Major accounts include the Department Of Interior, Department Of Justice, Department of Labor, Department of Treasury, United States Marine Corp, and the National Institute of Health.

Omega was one of the first companies to competitively bid on official government business in 1982 under a GAO test program to determine how private industry could service travel. "It was very risky," Bohan says, "since the prior contractor had defaulted, the airlines were reluctant to pay commissions, and we were required to bill the government for payment "

"Through accurate billing, relentless pursuit of the airlines to work with us, and the enthusiastic support of government, the program became a success," Bohan adds.

"Largely, it was the government that found we brought to the table high service levels, better technology, and saved them money on staffing and other costs. This experience has brought us good referrals and respect for other business opportunities," Bohan says.

Considered an innovative, trend-setting company, the Fairfax, VA-based firm has a hands-on owner in Bohan. By continually diversifying Omega, she has built a company that serves every major area of corporate, leisure, and government travel. Omega's full service, on-site corporate and on-site government offices are located in cities throughout the United States and abroad in Okinawa, Japan, the United Kingdom, and Guam. London serves as the company's international headquarters.

A firm believer in personal contact, Bohan created the small office concept, an innovation among travel agencies, which has helped the company offer personalized service.

Office locations have been augmented with high-touch, high-tech customer service centers in select areas of the U.S. that provide the highest quality reservation services to Omega customers 24 hours a day. These centers work in tandem with Omega's large Internet presence. Cruise.com, a separate company founded by Omega, has become the Internet's largest cruise seller. Other Omega Internet sites include TourDeals.com, offering discounts on tours worldwide, and AirDeals.com.

Bohan's staff receives in-depth training programs, incentives, and bonus programs. "Education and incentives are a must for keeping service and motivation high," she says. "My goal is to make every employee think like a salesperson and have them offer the client the best deal, and be totally responsive to their needs."

A graduate of Marymount Manhattan College in New York (her alma mater honored her in May with an honorary Doctor of Laws), Bohan started her career as a teacher in the New York City Public School System and later worked for Forbes Magazine.

The co-founder of Space Adventures, Bohan was instrumental in sending the first tourists into space. She is a member of the Women Presidents' Organization, the National Association of Woman Business Owners, and the American Society of Travel Agents. Omega is certified as a woman-owned business by the Women's Business Enterprise National Council.

As one of the leading woman-owned businesses doing business with the federal government, Bohan has sound advice to share. "You must be prepared to be exact about what you can do, and live up to whatever it is that you agree to do in a contract."

She also advocates having a good quality control system in place. "All your procedures should be well laid out. You need to document what you are doing and keep good records. You will need them for any question that may arise," she adds.

Finally, she encourages other women business owners to keep an eye out for suggestions that can be made to help the government operate more efficiently and save money. "They appreciate knowing that their contractor is not complacent and is looking to save them money, bring them better information, and deliver higher levels of service."