Women Owned Small Business Program - WOSB

The federal contracting Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) Program was implemented in 2011.  Details of the Program may be found in 13 CFR Part 127. 

In order to qualify as a WOSB, the business must be woman-owned (51% or more) and controlled.  A woman must manage the business day-to-day, directly own the business, and make long term decisions.

In order to participate in WOSB opportunities, a WOSB must register in Central Contractor Registration (CCR) as a woman owned small business, and self-certify in the ORCA - Online Representations and Certifications system as a woman owned small business.  Documents verifying eligibility as a woman owned small business must be uploaded to the WOSB Program Repository.  Eligibility is required as of the date of initial offer on a government contract opportunity.  The SBA is authorized to conduct program examinations to verify the eligibility of a WOSB at any time, either on its own initiative or upon a protest from a competitor.

Under the WOSB Program, competition for specific government contracts may be restricted to WOSB in NAICS codes in which WOSB are substantially underrepresented.   A contracting officer may set-aside a contract for WOSB if the contracting officer has a reasonable expectation that two or more WOSBs will submit offers and the contract can be awarded at a fair and reasonable price. 

The Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business (EDWOSB) is a WOSB owned by one or more women with a personal net worth of less than $750,000 - excluding the value of the business, primary residence, and retirement of the owner.  The woman's 3-year average income cannot exceed $350,000; and the fair market value of all assets cannot exceed $6 million.  For more details, see 13 CFR Part 127. 

Competition for a specific contract may be restricted to EDWOSB is NAICS codes in which women-owned small business concerns are underrepresented.

To review the affected industry codes for industries in which WOSB are underrepresented or substantially underrepresented, see www.sba.gov/WOSB.

Contact us for assistance with your WOSB or EDWOSB.