WOSB (Women-Owned Small Business)
A federal certification for small businesses at least 51% owned and controlled by women, giving access to set-aside contracts in industries where women are underrepresented.
The Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) Federal Contract Program gives women-owned small businesses access to set-aside competitions in industries where women are underrepresented or substantially underrepresented in federal contracting. The program carries a government-wide contracting goal of 5% and is one of five major small business socioeconomic programs.
Two Certification Tiers
WOSB is the base certification, available for industries where women are underrepresented. Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business (EDWOSB) is the more competitive tier, available for both underrepresented and substantially underrepresented industries. EDWOSB also qualifies for sole source awards up to $4.5 million for services and $7 million for manufacturing, giving it meaningfully broader access than the base WOSB.
Eligibility Requirements
The business must meet SBA small business size standards, be at least 51% owned and controlled by one or more women who are U.S. citizens, and the women owners must manage day-to-day operations and hold authority over long-term decisions. SBA certification is required — self-certification was eliminated in 2020 and is no longer accepted for prime contract set-asides.
NAICS Code Eligibility
Not every industry is eligible for WOSB set-asides. SBA designates specific NAICS codes as underrepresented or substantially underrepresented based on periodic analysis of contracting data. Before pursuing a WOSB set-aside solicitation, confirm the contract's assigned NAICS code appears on SBA's current eligible list.
ProposalApp Integration
ProposalApp's bid matching displays set-aside type on every SAM.gov opportunity and can filter results to show only WOSB or EDWOSB eligible solicitations, helping women-owned firms focus their BD resources on the competitions where they hold a structural advantage.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between WOSB and EDWOSB?
WOSB covers industries where women are underrepresented. EDWOSB covers both underrepresented and substantially underrepresented industries and adds sole source eligibility. EDWOSB requires additional documentation of economic disadvantage beyond the baseline WOSB requirements.
Is self-certification still allowed for WOSB?
No. SBA certification has been required since October 2020. Self-certification is no longer accepted for federal prime contract set-asides. Businesses must apply through SBA and renew every three years.