Women-Owned Small Business Federal Contracting Program

To help provide a level playing field for women business owners, the government limits competition for certain contracts to businesses that participate in the Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) Federal Contracting program.

These contracts are for specific industries where WOSBs are underrepresented. Some contracts are restricted further to economically disadvantaged women-owned small businesses (EDWOSBs). 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.

The certification process for Women-Owned Small Businesses (WOSBs) and Economically Disadvantaged WOSBs (EDWOSBs) changed in 2020. SBA implemented Congress’ changes to the 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 at beta.certify.sba.gov
• 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
• If you had contracts through the WOSB Federal Contracting Program when the changes went into effect, you will remain certified through the duration of existing contracts (whether you were previously 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 (based on specifics in the following sections based on your status)

Review SBA’s latest FAQs, certification options table, infographics, and the following beta.certify.gov fact sheet for more information about the certification changes and the updated application process.

Firms can 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 certification using how-to videos, user guides, and more!

To be eligible for the WOSB Federal Contracting program, a business must:

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

To qualify as an EDWOSB within the program, a business must:

• Meet all the requirements of the WOSB Federal 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

Economic disadvantage standards have been aligned between the 8(a) Business Development program and the WOSB Federal Contracting program. Additionally, funds invested in an official retirement account are excluded from the assessment of an economically disadvantaged individual’s personal net worth in both programs.  8(a) firms interested in pursuing EDWOSB certification may provide their most recent annual review letter or acceptance letter if in their first year through applying at 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 beta.certify.sba.gov

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

The 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 their company’s eligibility
• Request information from SBA program experts
• Create an account and proceed with their 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 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 updated certification process on beta.certify.sba.gov to compete for WOSB Federal Contracting program set-aside contracts.

Firms that were self-certified when changes went into effect on October 15, 2020, remain self-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.

To maintain your WOSB or EDWOSB certification, SBA requires participants to annually attest to meeting program requirements set forth in 13 CFR 127.  Annual attestation must be submitted within 30 days of the anniversary date of certification. Additionally, firms must undergo a program examination every three years conducted by SBA or a third-party certifier.

The beta.certify.sba.gov Knowledge Base includes a step-by-step instruction sheet for maintaining your WOSB or EDWOSB certification, including the requirements above for the annual update. It includes screenshots of beta.certify.sba.gov for reference. Upon completion of the recertification application, an SBA analyst will conduct a full review of the responses and uploaded documentation. A formal letter is issued once a decision is rendered.

Firms that are nearing their annual attestation or program recertification in the next 30 to 120 days can attend SBA’s free training webinar.

As long as firms submit their annual attestation 30 days prior to expiration, they will remain certified.

The WOSB Federal Contracting program has multiple avenues to receive assistance. 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:

• El Paso Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
• National Women Business Owners Corporation
• U.S. Women’s Chamber of Commerce
• Women’s Business Enterprise National Council

If you are third-party certified and 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 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

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 calendar days after receipt of a complete package, whenever practicable.

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:

• El Paso Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
• National Women Business Owners Corporation
• U.S. Women’s Chamber of Commerce
• Women’s Business Enterprise National Council

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.

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 90 calendar days after receipt of a complete package, whenever practicable.