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WOMAN OWNED SMALL BUSINESS (WOSB/EDWOSB)

Become eligible for exclusive Federal Contracts with WOSB (Woman Owned Small Business) or EDWOSB (Economically Disadvantaged Woman Owned Small Business) certification status.

The Woman Owned Small Business Certification (WOSB) is designed to authorize government contracting officers to set aside specific contracts for competition solely amongst WOSBs or Economically Disadvantaged Women Owned Small Businesses (EDWOSBs). The main difference between these two types of businesses is that EDWOSBs are owned by women that could be considered Economically Disadvantaged. The Small Business Administration defines “Economic Disadvantage” as having a personal net worth of less than $850,000 adjusted gross yearly income averaged over the three years not exceeding $400,000, and the fair market value of all assets not exceeding $6.5 million. Businesses certified as EDWOSBs qualify for extra funding and may be selected in smaller set-aside solicitations pools than businesses certified as WOSBs. Contracting Officers must meet annual contracting goals by specifically limiting or setting aside certain solicitations for WOSBs or EDWOSBs.

 

Benefits of a Woman Owned Certification (WOSB)

  • Federal Spending Mandate: 5% of all Federal contracting dollars are allocated to WOSB or EDWOSB certified businesses
  • Enhanced Contracting Opportunities: Opens opportunities for women entrepreneurs with Contracting Officers required to meet federally mandated quotas
  • Subcontracting Advantages: Enables subcontracting opportunities with Prime Contractors that must have a Small Business Set-Aside subcontracting plan as part of the bid
  • Direct Contracting Access: Facilitates direct interactions and contract opportunities with Prime Contracting Officers.
  • Exclusive Database Listing: WOSB certified businesses are listed in the DSBS used by vendors to advertise their certification and by the government to locate such vendors, imperative for “No-Bid" and "Direct-Award" contracts below $250K
  • Increased Profit Margins: WOSB Set-Aside Contracts typically see up to an 8% higher net profit compared to most contracts.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Businesses must be 51% or greater owned by a woman
  • Must be a US citizen
  • Daily operations management must be by a woman
  • The highest officer position must be held by a woman
  • The woman must manage the business full-time & must devote full-time hours to the management of the business
  • The woman has ultimate and supervisory control
  • Primary NAICS Codes selection must fall within 1 of the 217 WOSB set-aside NAICs
  • EDWOSB owner's net worth must be less than $850,000, adjusted gross income of $400,000 or less and personal assets value less than $6.5 million

Get Certified with USBRI

USBRI has helped thousands of businesses in getting properly registered and certified as a Small Business Government Contractor. As a business owner and leader, your time and attention are most well spent actually running your company. There are many common mistakes with federal registrations and certifications that can cause delays and result in missed opportunities and possibly even fines. It is highly recommended to utilize the services of a CRS when attempting to complete these procedures for the first time. Once everything is approved and active,  your business will be displayed within the Federal Small Business Databases utilized by Contracting Officers and Prime Contractors when looking for a Certified Small Business for “RFPs” and “Direct Award Contracts”. Then going forward, your CRS is only a phone call or email away to assist with any questions, issues, changes, updates or anything else to do with these topics. After 12 months of being active and having access to a CRS, the renewal process for these items are much easier once properly established. One of the biggest issues we see is that organizations may make it through the process to become active. However, they do not understand what else needs to be completed and where. What else is important? Am I positioned to be easily found? Is there enough data there to be awarded a “Direct Award Contract”? (Federal Contracts below $250K)

Get Started On Your Certification Now

If you would like to get started on your WOSB or EDWOSB, reach out to our Help Desk at 1-888-646-9998 (M-F 9am-5pm EST). USBRI handles a majority of the certification process for you, only pulling you in where absolutely necessary. This includes updating your SAM Registration, SBA Profile and DSBS Profile after your certification goes active (including 12 months of support on the SAM Registration, Certification itself and the additional SBA/DSBS Profiles). WOSB & EDWOSB Certifications are good for 3 years once approved.

Eligibility Questionnaire

What is the best avenue to sell my products/services to the government?

Answer a few questions about your business and we can provide you with a complimentary Federal Market Assessment to see what agencies are purchasing your goods/services, who the competition is, look at Direct Award Contracts in your industry (below $250K) and provide you a with a basic roadmap of the best avenue and vehicles for your company to focus on to successfully sell goods/services to the government.

After submitting this form, a CRS (Certified Registration Specialist) will reach out within 24 hours for a 15 minute informational conversation where you can ask as many questions as you like. If considering government contracting at all, or have attempted to do so without such guidance or advice; do not skip this important step as it truly makes a difference of knowing where, what and how to focus on what's most important for your success when offering goods/services to the government. This short conversation will speed up your learning curve and set you up and prepare you for success. Utilize credible resources that are available to you.

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