They point to their efforts to identify and nurture more minority suppliers.

Despite their skepticism about reaching 5 percent, those prime contractors say they are working hard to find more minority suppliers.

Perhaps more important, he said, the company works closely with its minority suppliers to help them grow and win additional business.

That left only 15 percent for any smaller businesses, restricting the company's ability to find minority suppliers for the program.

The most successful programs are those that evaluate corporate buyers on their ability to develop minority suppliers.

Last year, the company purchased $75 million in goods and services from minority suppliers.

"We've taken an aggressive stance in developing minority suppliers."

"An alliance can give the minority supplier the economy of scale to provide the low costs we insist on," he said.

Ford also has an outstanding record in doing business with minority suppliers.

Recently, the Administration announced an agreement with the major automakers to raise to 5 percent the number of contracts going to minority suppliers.