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