FAR 19.1500—General.
Plain-English Summary
FAR 19.1500 is the introductory provision for the Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) Program. It explains three core topics: the statutory basis for the program under section 8(m) of the Small Business Act, the program’s purpose of giving women-owned small business concerns an equal opportunity to compete for federal contracts and helping agencies meet women-owned small business participation goals, and the relationship between the program’s eligible categories—economically disadvantaged women-owned small business (EDWOSB) concerns and WOSB concerns—and the broader definition of “women-owned small business concern” in FAR 2.101. In practice, this section tells contracting personnel and offerors why the program exists and how it fits into the federal small business framework. It also signals that the detailed eligibility and procedural rules are found in SBA regulations at 13 CFR part 127, not in this short FAR section itself. For contractors, the practical significance is that WOSB and EDWOSB status can create access to set-aside opportunities, but only if the firm meets the applicable SBA eligibility requirements. For agencies, the section reinforces that use of the program is tied to both competition policy and socioeconomic goal achievement.
Key Rules
Statutory basis for WOSB
The WOSB Program exists because section 8(m) of the Small Business Act created it. This means the program is grounded in statute, and agencies and contractors must apply it consistently with the law and implementing regulations.
Program purpose is equal opportunity
The program is intended to ensure women-owned small business concerns have an equal opportunity to participate in federal contracting. It is also meant to help agencies meet their women-owned small business participation goals.
SBA regulations control eligibility
The section points readers to 13 CFR part 127 for the detailed program rules. In practice, the FAR provision is only a general statement; the substantive eligibility, certification, and program procedures are governed by SBA regulations.
EDWOSB and WOSB are subcategories
An EDWOSB concern and a WOSB concern eligible under the program are both subcategories of the broader term “women-owned small business concern” in FAR 2.101. This means they are specialized classifications within the larger WOSB category, not separate unrelated programs.
Responsibilities
Contracting Officers
Recognize the WOSB Program as a statutory socioeconomic program and use the SBA rules in 13 CFR part 127 when considering WOSB or EDWOSB set-asides or other program actions. They must understand that the FAR definition points to a broader category in FAR 2.101 and that eligibility determinations are not made from this section alone.
Agencies
Use the WOSB Program to support women-owned small business participation goals and apply the program in a way that advances equal opportunity in federal contracting. Agencies must align their acquisition planning and small business strategy with the program’s purpose and the governing SBA regulations.
Contractors
Understand that claiming WOSB or EDWOSB status depends on meeting the applicable SBA eligibility requirements in 13 CFR part 127. Contractors should not rely on the FAR text alone, and they must ensure their status fits within the broader women-owned small business definition in FAR 2.101.
Women-Owned Small Business Concerns
Use the program as a pathway to compete for federal contracting opportunities, but only if they qualify under the SBA’s detailed rules. Firms must maintain compliance with the program’s ownership, control, and economic disadvantage requirements where applicable.
Practical Implications
This section is mainly a roadmap, not a detailed compliance rule. Users should go to 13 CFR part 127 for the actual eligibility and certification requirements before making any WOSB or EDWOSB decision.
Contracting officers should not treat this section as authority to determine eligibility by itself. It simply establishes the program and points to the controlling SBA regulations.
Contractors often make the mistake of assuming that being women-owned automatically makes them eligible for WOSB or EDWOSB opportunities. The program has specific qualification standards, and EDWOSB has additional economic disadvantage requirements.
Because the section ties the program to agency participation goals, it matters in acquisition planning, market research, and set-aside decisions. Agencies should consider whether WOSB or EDWOSB opportunities are appropriate when structuring procurements.
The reference to FAR 2.101 is important because it connects this program to the FAR’s general small business definitions. Practitioners should read the definitions together to avoid confusion about terminology and scope.
Official Regulatory Text
(a) Section 8(m) of the Small Business Act ( 15 U.S.C. 637(m) ) created the Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) Program. (b) The purpose of the WOSB Program is to ensure women-owned small business concerns have an equal opportunity to participate in Federal contracting and to assist agencies in achieving their women-owned small business participation goals (see 13 part CFR 127). (c) An economically disadvantaged women-owned small business (EDWOSB) concern and a WOSB concern eligible under the WOSB Program are subcategories of “women-owned small business concern” as defined in section 2.101 .