Women-Owned Small Business Program
Set-aside program for small businesses at least 51% owned and controlled by women. Eligible industries are NAICS-specific based on SBA underrepresentation analysis. EDWOSB (Economically Disadvantaged WOSB) is the companion certification with additional economic disadvantage criteria.
Processing Time
SBA WOSB certification: 2-4 months for clean applications.
Term
3 years, with annual eligibility attestations.
Certified By
U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)
Program Overview
The WOSB program addresses chronic underrepresentation of women-owned businesses in federal contracting. The 2020 transition to mandatory SBA certification (eliminating self-certification and third-party WBENC certification as set-aside qualifiers) tightened the program. Eligibility is NAICS-specific — check the SBA Eligible Industries list before pursuing a WOSB set-aside under a given NAICS.
Eligibility Requirements
- Small business per SBA size standard for primary NAICS
- At least 51% owned by one or more women who are U.S. citizens
- Women owner(s) must control daily operations and make long-term decisions
- Primary NAICS must be on the SBA WOSB Eligible Industries list (NAICS-specific)
- Mandatory SBA certification (self-certification is no longer accepted since 2020)
Benefits
- Eligibility for WOSB set-aside contracts (only certified WOSBs may bid)
- Sole-source WOSB awards up to specific thresholds
- Companion EDWOSB program for economically disadvantaged women-owned firms
- 5% federal WOSB goal across agencies (often missed; growing focus)
Common Pitfalls
- 1Bidding on WOSB set-asides in non-eligible NAICS
- 2Inadequate ownership/control documentation
- 3Relying on WBENC or similar third-party certification (only SBA WOSB qualifies)
- 4Confusing WOSB (any eligible NAICS) with EDWOSB (additional economic disadvantage)
- 5Losing control after a woman-owner's leave — sustained control required
Need help applying for WOSB certification?
Aliff helps firms navigate the SBA certification process, prepare a defensible application, and avoid the common pitfalls that delay or disqualify applications.
Related Resources
All Set-Aside Programs
Compare 8(a), HUBZone, SDVOSB, WOSB, and EDWOSB.
FAR 52.219-1 Small Business Program Representations
Required size representation when bidding any set-aside.
FAR 52.219-14 Limitations on Subcontracting
Set-aside primes must self-perform at least 50% of the work.
Small Business Set-Aside Programs Guide
Full comparison and strategy across all federal set-aside categories.