Women-Owned Small Business Program — Government Set-Aside Program
Researched by the BidStride Research Team
What is the WOSB program?
The Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) Federal Contracting Program provides competitive set-asides for small businesses that are at least 51% owned and controlled by women who are U.S. citizens. The program targets industry sectors where women-owned firms are underrepresented in federal contracting. WOSB set-asides are used in specific NAICS codes designated by SBA as underrepresented. As of October 2022, all WOSB certifications are processed by SBA — eliminating the need for third-party certifiers.
Eligibility requirements
- Business must be a small business under SBA size standards for its primary NAICS code
- Business must be at least 51% owned and controlled by one or more women who are U.S. citizens
- Women owners must manage the day-to-day operations of the business
- Women owners must make long-term decisions for the company
- The NAICS code of the contract must be in a sector SBA has designated as underrepresented by WOSBs
- Business must be certified through SBA's certification program at certify.sba.gov
Benefits of WOSB certification
- 1Competitive set-aside contracts in underrepresented NAICS codes
- 2Sole-source awards up to $4.5M (services) and $7M (manufacturing) without competition in underrepresented NAICS codes
- 3Access to the broader WOSB subcontracting preference ecosystem on large prime contracts
- 4Eligibility for EDWOSB set-asides (additional tier for economically disadvantaged women-owned firms)
- 5Free SBA certification with no recurring fees
How to apply for WOSB certification
- 1
Verify the contract's NAICS code is on SBA's designated underrepresented NAICS code list
- 2
Gather documentation: business ownership records, operating agreements, tax returns, evidence of management control
- 3
Apply through certify.sba.gov for SBA WOSB certification
- 4
SBA reviews application for ownership, control, and citizenship requirements
- 5
Processing time is typically 30–90 days for complete applications
- 6
Once certified, ensure WOSB status is reflected in your SAM.gov registration
How WOSB appears in solicitations
When a contracting officer restricts a procurement to WOSB firms, you will see language like this in the solicitation header:
“This acquisition is set aside for exclusive competition among Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) concerns.”
Look for this language in the SAM.gov opportunity description or the solicitation’s Section B (Contract Clauses) and solicitation preamble.
Relevant FAR clauses for WOSB contracts
FAR 52.219-29Notice of Set-Aside for, or Sole Source Award to, Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business Concerns
Notifies the contractor of an EDWOSB set-aside or sole source award
View clause referenceFAR 52.219-30Notice of Set-Aside for, or Sole Source Award to, Women-Owned Small Business Concerns Eligible Under the Women-Owned Small Business Program
Notifies the contractor of a WOSB set-aside or sole source award
View clause referenceFAR 19.1505WOSB Set-Aside Procedures
Establishes the conditions under which contracting officers must set aside contracts for WOSB competition
View clause referenceFrequently asked questions about WOSB
SBA publishes a list of NAICS codes where women-owned firms are underrepresented in federal contracting. The list is updated periodically and covers sectors including construction, manufacturing, professional services, IT, and healthcare. Contracting officers can only use WOSB set-asides in these designated codes.
No. The NAICS designation is about the specific contract's industry code — not your company's overall business focus. A WOSB can qualify for set-asides in any underrepresented NAICS code they can perform work in, regardless of their historical revenue mix.
EDWOSB (Economically Disadvantaged WOSB) is a subset of the WOSB program for women-owned firms where the owners meet additional economic disadvantage thresholds (personal net worth below $850,000, excluding primary residence and business equity). EDWOSB firms qualify for both EDWOSB and WOSB set-asides.
Yes. WOSB and 8(a) certifications are compatible. However, a given contract solicitation will typically be set aside under one designation — the contracting officer selects the set-aside type based on their market research and agency goals.
This guide is for informational purposes only and reflects the BidStride Research Team’s summary of publicly available SBA and FAR program information. Eligibility requirements and set-aside thresholds are subject to change by regulation. Always verify current requirements at SBA.gov and consult a procurement attorney for certification decisions. BidStride does not provide legal advice.