The 8A contracting scam isn't just racist/sexist, it's also designed for waste and abuse.

"You can just give this contract to a woman or a black, no competition, if you want"

Why would they want? What possible advantage does a contracting officer get from just gifting a contract?

Could be any number of things, but usually not written down and usually not toward the public benefit.

The 8A company almost never has the talent to perform, so they take their cut and pass the work on.

Biggest abuses are in consulting, where all the 8A has to do is regurgitate a report back that says exactly what the gov wants to hear. These companies are basically employment farms for crooked gov contracting employees cashing out at taxpayer expense.