WOSB and EDWOSB

The rules are in 13 CFR Part 127. The women owners must control the business, holding the highest officer position and managing it day to day. An EDWOSB adds limits on the owners' personal net worth, income and assets.

Since 2020, firms must be certified, by the SBA or an SBA-approved third-party certifier, to receive WOSB and EDWOSB set-asides; self-certification no longer qualifies. Contracting rules are in FAR subpart 19.15.

WOSB set-asides are limited to NAICS codes the SBA designates as underrepresented; EDWOSB set-asides cover a further list of codes where women-owned firms are substantially underrepresented. Check the solicitation's NAICS code against the current list before counting on the program for a pursuit.

As with other programs, control is the usual weak point: the woman owner must run the business, not lend her name to it. States and cities run their own women-owned business programs, often combined with minority business certification.

Before relying on WOSB status for a specific pursuit, confirm three things: the solicitation is actually set aside for WOSBs or EDWOSBs, the NAICS code is on the current designated list, and your certification is active at the time of offer. Also keep the documents that show the women owners' control, such as bylaws, operating agreements and meeting minutes, current and consistent, since eligibility protests usually focus on control rather than ownership.