One of the programs that Congress has established to provide small companies more chances to receive government contracts is the Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) Federal Contract program. Restricting competition to qualified WOSBs and Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Businesses (EDWOSBs) is one of the program's goals in order to improve "their success to compete for and win federal contracts" and guarantee "a level playing field on which such small businesses can compete for Federal contracting opportunities." Federal contracting officers may reserve contracts (or orders) for WOSBs (including EDWOSBs) in industries where the SBA finds that WOSBs are "substantially underrepresented" in federal procurement, as well as for EDWOSBs only in those industries where the SBA finds that WOSBs are "underrepresented" in federal procurement, under this program.

These contracts are for the distinct business sectors where there is a pronounced underrepresentation of women-owned small businesses. Economically disadvantaged women-owned small businesses (EDWOSBs) are additionally excluded from several contracts. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes for each of these qualified industries are kept on file by SBA.

There are 759 qualifying industries, 646 of which are designated for restricted competition among all WOSB Program participants, 113 of which are solely open to SBA-certified EDWOSBs. You can find the list by clicking HERE

If you have interest in exploring your firm’s eligibility and potential utilizing the WOSB (or EDWOSB) Certification, I always recommend contacting an industry expert such as ez8a or Advance 8a. Neither charge for an initial consultation.