Question 1

What is the WOSB Federal Contracting Program?

Accepted Answer

The WOSB Federal Contracting Program reserves federal contracts in specific NAICS codes where women-owned businesses are underrepresented to businesses that are at least 51% owned and controlled by women. It was established by the Small Business Act and is governed by FAR 19.15.

Question 2

How do I get WOSB certification?

Accepted Answer

Apply through the SBA's certify.sba.gov portal. You will submit ownership and control documentation, financial records, and a personal certification of eligibility. The SBA reviews and approves applications. Third-party certifiers are no longer accepted for initial certifications.

Question 3

Does the WOSB program apply to all industries?

Accepted Answer

No. WOSB set-asides are restricted to NAICS codes designated by the SBA as industries where women-owned businesses are underrepresented or substantially underrepresented in federal contracting. These include many service, construction, IT, and professional service categories.

Question 4

What is the difference between WOSB and EDWOSB?

Accepted Answer

EDWOSB (Economically Disadvantaged WOSB) is a subset of the WOSB program for businesses whose owners demonstrate economic disadvantage based on net worth (≤$750K), average income (≤$350K), and total assets (≤$6M). EDWOSB firms can compete on both EDWOSB and WOSB set-asides.

Question 5

What is the annual government WOSB contracting goal?

Accepted Answer

Federal law mandates that at least 5% of all federal prime and subcontract dollars be awarded to WOSBs annually. Agencies track progress and report to the SBA, creating institutional incentive to seek out WOSB vendors.

Question 6

Can I hold WOSB and SDVOSB certification at the same time?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Multiple certifications are permitted. Many businesses hold WOSB alongside 8(a), HUBZone, or SDVOSB certifications to maximize their set-aside opportunities across different contract types.

Question 7

What is the sole-source threshold for WOSB contracts?

Accepted Answer

WOSB and EDWOSB sole source awards are capped at $4.5 million for manufacturing and $7 million for all other contracts. Above these thresholds, a competitive WOSB set-aside is required if at least two WOSB firms are available.

Question 8

How often must I recertify my WOSB status?

Accepted Answer

WOSB certification does not have a fixed expiration but must be represented accurately at the time of each offer. Annual SAM.gov renewals must accurately reflect your certifications, and the SBA may conduct examinations at any time.

Question 9

How does SamSearch help WOSB firms find contracts?

Accepted Answer

SamSearch filters active solicitations by the WOSB set-aside code across all federal agencies. Combined with NAICS code and keyword filters, you can quickly identify the most relevant WOSB-restricted opportunities in your industry.

Question 10

What is the SBA's current list of underrepresented NAICS codes for WOSB set-asides?

Accepted Answer

The SBA maintains and periodically updates the list of NAICS codes eligible for WOSB set-asides based on analysis of federal contracting data. The current designated list includes codes across professional services, administrative and support services, healthcare, IT, and construction categories. You can find the definitive current list at sba.gov under the WOSB program resources section, as the list is updated as new disparity studies are completed.

Question 11

How does the SBA enforce WOSB eligibility during contract performance?

Accepted Answer

The SBA can conduct formal size and status reviews (examinations) at any time during a contract, initiated either by the SBA itself or through a protest by a competitor. During an examination, the SBA may request financial records, ownership documents, and evidence of daily management by the woman owner. False representations of WOSB status are subject to criminal penalties under the False Statements Act.

Question 12

What is the WOSB affiliation rule and how does it affect competitive bids?

Accepted Answer

The SBA applies general affiliation rules to WOSBs. If your firm shares common ownership, management, or contractual dependencies with another firm, those entities may be considered affiliated, aggregating revenues and employees for size standard purposes. This is most commonly an issue for firms with significant subcontracting relationships or investors who also hold interests in other businesses in your industry.

Question 13

Can a WOSB firm operate under multiple NAICS codes in different set-aside competitions?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Your firm's primary NAICS code in SAM.gov does not restrict which NAICS codes you can bid under. On each solicitation, you must certify compliance with the size standard for the NAICS code assigned to that specific contract. If the solicitation's NAICS code falls on the SBA's designated list and you meet the size standard, you may compete as a WOSB regardless of your primary NAICS code.

Question 14

What happens when a WOSB owner's control is challenged during a competition?

Accepted Answer

Any offeror or interested party may protest a competitor's WOSB status after award or after issuance of the solicitation. The SBA will conduct a formal eligibility examination. If found ineligible, the firm's award may be rescinded and the contract awarded to the next eligible WOSB. Proactively maintaining complete and accurate ownership documentation reduces risk of successful protests.

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