WOMEN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESS FEDERAL CONTRACTING PROGRAM

Category: Federal

The federal government's goal is to award at least five percent of all federal contracting dollars to women-owned small businesses each year.

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WOSB and EDWOSB Certification Improvements

The certification process for Women-Owned Small Businesses (WOSBs) and Economically Disadvantaged WOSBs (EDWOSBs) has changed. SBA has implemented Congress’ changes to the Women-Owned Small Business Federal Contracting Program (WOSB Federal Contracting Program), as put forth in the 2015 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

These updated regulations make it easier for qualified small businesses to participate in the WOSB Federal Contracting Program by improving the customer experience. At the same time, SBA is strengthening oversight and maintaining the integrity of the certification process.

The updated WOSB Federal Contracting Program regulations were published in the Federal Register in May 2020. These regulations detail changes to the certification process.

With the updated WOSB Federal Contracting Program regulations in effect:

  • SBA’s new, free online certification process for WOSBs and EDWOSBs is live on SBA’s new online portal: beta.certify.sba.gov.
  • SBA allows participation from firms certified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Center for Verification and Evaluations (CVE) and 8(a) Business Development Certification Program, provided they meet all eligibility requirements.
  • SBA allows continued participation from businesses that utilize approved Third-Party Certifiers (TPCs) to obtain WOSB or EDWOSB certification.
  • As of October 15, 2020, the previous self-certification option on the old certify.sba.gov platform is no longer available. For previously self-certified WOSBs and EDWOSBs, all documents previously uploaded in Certify.sba.gov will be available through March 31, 2021, for retrieval.
  • If you currently have active contracts through the WOSB Federal Contracting Program, you will remain certified through the duration of existing contracts (whether you are currently self-certified or TPC-certified).
  • All WOSB firms need to take action in beta.certify.sba.gov in order to compete for WOSB Federal Contracting Program set-aside contracts. See specifics in the below sections based on your status.

Please review SBA’s latest FAQs, certification options table, infographic, and beta.certify.sba.gov fact sheet for more information about the certification changes and the new application process.

To stay up to date with changes to the WOSB Federal Contracting Program, please visit sba.gov/wosbready. Firms can also use the SBA Local Assistance tool to contact their local SBA regional and district office or Women’s Business Center with questions.

In addition, the beta.certify.sba.gov knowledge base is a valuable resource for firms to get started learning about this new platform with how-to videos, user guides, and more!

Program Benefits

To help provide a level playing field for women business owners, the government limits competition for certain contracts to businesses that participate in the WOSB Federal Contracting Program.

These contracts are for specific industries where women-owned small businesses (WOSBs) are underrepresented. Some contracts are restricted further to economically disadvantaged women-owned small businesses (EDWOSBs). The SBA maintains a list of those eligible industries and their NAICS codes.

Joining the WOSB Federal Contracting Program makes a business eligible to compete for federal contracts set aside for the program. Firms can still compete for contract awards under other socio-economic programs they qualify for.

Program Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for the women’s contracting program, a business must:

  • Be a small business
  • Be at least 51 percent owned and controlled by women who are U.S. citizens
  • Have women manage day-to-day operations and also make long-term decisions

To qualify as an economically disadvantaged business within the women’s contracting program, a business must:

  • Meet all the requirements of the women’s contracting program
  • Be owned and controlled by one or more women, each with a personal net worth less than $750,000
  • Be owned and controlled by one or more women, each with $350,000 or less in adjusted gross income averaged over the previous three years
  • Be owned and controlled by one or more women, each $6 million or less in personal assets

Personal net worth standards for economically disadvantaged individuals have been aligned between the 8(a) Business Development Program and the WOSB Federal Contracting Program. EDWOSBs and 8(a) Business Development Program participants have the same personal net worth threshold, and funds invested in an official retirement account are excluded from the assessment of an economically disadvantaged individual’s personal net worth in both programs.

SBA continues to accept a current, valid 8(a) certification. Firms must provide their most recent annual review letter or acceptance letter if in their first year through beta.certify.sba.gov.

SBA also allows participation from firms certified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Center for Verification and Evaluations (CVE), provided they meet all eligibility requirements. Firms must provide their CVE certificate and supporting documentation through beta.certify.sba.gov.

The eligibility requirements to qualify as a WOSB or an EDWOSB are fully defined in Title 13 Part 127 Subpart B of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). Firms can also get a preliminary assessment of whether they qualify at SBA’s beta.certify.sba.gov website.

Get Certified as a Women-Owned Small Business

Before firms can compete for WOSB Federal Contracting Program set-aside contracts, they must apply for certification through the new process on beta.certify.sba.gov or go through an approved TPC. Both methods will require that firms use the beta.certify.sba.gov website. For more information about the new application process, please review the following beta.certify.sba.gov fact sheet.

The new beta.certify.sba.gov website makes it easy for firms to understand the changes to the certification process to ensure they remain eligible.

On the website, firms can:

  • Access checklists that provide guidance prior to applying
  • Explore your company’s eligibility
  • Find answers to questions regarding your firm’s eligibility in the program
  • Request information from SBA program experts
  • Create an account and proceed with your application (Note: When you create an account, you will be automatically directed to a new screen to access login.gov. This is a secure platform for creating new account logins.)

Firms will need to update their certification information through both the Dynamic Small Business Search database and beta.certify.sba.gov once a year to maintain their status with the WOSB Federal Contracting Program.

As of October 15, 2020, the previous self-certification option on the old certify.sba.gov platform is no longer available. Firms must complete the new certification process on beta.certify.sba.gov to compete for WOSB Federal Contracting Program set-aside contracts. All documents previously uploaded in certify.sba.gov for WOSB and EDWOSB self-certifications will be available through March 31, 2021 for retrieval.

If you are currently self-certified with active contracts, you will remain certified for the duration of existing contracts. For the purposes of contracts (including multiple award contracts) with durations of more than five years (including options), a self-certified firm must get certified by SBA or an approved TPC prior to the end of the fifth year of the contract.

WOSB Federal Contracting Program Assistance

The Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) Federal Contracting Program has multiple avenues to receive assistance. The SBA offers a variety of resource partners to assist small businesses. Firms can also use the SBA Local Assistance tool to contact their local SBA regional and district office or Women’s Business Center.

In addition, the beta.certify.sba.gov knowledge base is a valuable resource for firms to get started learning about this new platform with how-to videos, user guides, and more!

Free Training Webinars

The WOSB Federal Contracting Program also offers webinars and town halls that cover various topics related to WOSB and EDWOSB certification. Participation in webinars and town halls are completely voluntary. Once registered, participants will receive invitations and follow-up correspondence from WOSBTraining@sba.gov. Choose a topic to register for a session that best addresses your current or future status or need:

WOSB Certification Eligibility and Application Process Webinar: This training is designed for firms that are new to the WOSB Federal Contracting Program or that are pursuing their certification application on beta.certify.sba.gov for the first time.

Continuing WOSB Federal Contracting Program Eligibility: This training session is offered to firms that are nearing their annual attestation or program recertification in the next 30 to 120 days.

WOSB Quarterly Process Session: This session is primarily for contracting officers and SBA resource partners to better understand the processing of WOSB certifications and the overall application process.

I’m WOSB Certified: What’s Next?: This session is primarily for firms that are already WOSB or EDWOSB certified and are curious as to what may be potential next steps for their firm.

Third-Party Certification

There are four organizations approved by SBA to provide third-party certification. Contact them to find out about their certification process and any associated costs. They are:

If you would like to bid on new contracts, you need to complete an application and upload your unexpired WOSB or EDWOSB TPC-certified documentation through the new, free online process at beta.certify.sba.gov. Read the instructions carefully to make sure you provide all the necessary information.

If you are a TPC-certified firm, you will remain certified for the duration of existing contracts.  

Issuing Decisions on Certification

SBA began issuing decisions on WOSB Program applications as of October 15, 2020. If your application is deemed insufficient or incomplete, an SBA representative may reach out to request additional information or documentation. SBA will make its determination within ninety (90) calendar days after receipt of a complete package, whenever practicable.