The federal government aims to award at least 5% of all federal contracting dollars to women-owned small businesses annually. The WOSB Federal Contract program helps create a level playing field for women business owners in federal contracting.
Program Benefits
Through the WOSB Federal Contract program, the government limits competition for certain contracts to participating businesses. These contracts are:
- Reserved for specific industries where WOSBs are underrepresented
- Some contracts restricted to economically disadvantaged WOSBs (EDWOSBs)
- Available alongside other socio-economic program opportunities
Eligibility Requirements
WOSB Requirements
- Be a small business (SBA size standards)
- 51% owned and controlled by women who are U.S. citizens
- Women manage daily operations
- Women make long-term decisions
EDWOSB Additional Requirements
- Personal net worth less than $850,000
- $400,000 or less in adjusted gross income (3-year average)
- $6.5 million or less in personal assets
Certification Process
All WOSB firms must obtain certification through SBA's online certification process to compete for set-aside contracts. The process includes:
Initial Certification
- Apply through certifications.sba.gov
- Submit required documentation
- 90-day review process
Maintaining Certification
- Program examination every three years
- Annual SAM.gov profile updates
- Recertification for long-term contracts
Third-Party Certification Options
SBA recognizes certifications from four approved organizations:
- El Paso Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
- National Women Business Owners Corporation
- U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce
- Women's Business Enterprise National Council
Note: Even with third-party certification, businesses must upload documentation to MySBA Certifications before bidding on WOSB set-aside contracts.
Ready to Get Certified?
Take the first step toward accessing federal contracting opportunities for women-owned businesses.