What is a WOSB (Women-Owned Small Business)?
Also known as: Women-Owned Small Business
A WOSB is a small business that is at least 51% owned and controlled by one or more women who are U.S. citizens. The WOSB Federal Contracting Program lets agencies set aside contracts in industries where women-owned firms are underrepresented.
How the program works
Agencies may set aside or sole-source awards to WOSBs in specific NAICS codes that SBA has designated as underrepresented for women-owned firms. To compete on these set-asides, a firm must be certified.
Certification is done through SBA's certification process or an approved third-party certifier; self-certification alone is no longer sufficient for set-aside awards.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between WOSB and EDWOSB?
EDWOSB is a subset of WOSB whose owners also meet economic-disadvantage criteria (net worth, income, and asset limits). EDWOSBs can compete on a broader list of set-aside NAICS codes than WOSBs.
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