Women-owned small business (WOSB and EDWOSB)

The women-owned test has two halves. Ownership: the concern is at least 51 percent owned by one or more women 1. Control: its management and daily business operations are controlled by one or more women 2.

Ownership on paper is not enough. Be ready to show that the women owners make the day-to-day decisions 2.

Check 1

A woman owns 60 percent of a firm, but a man who is a minority owner runs daily operations. Which half of the women-owned test is in doubt?Control of management and daily business operationsOwnershipNeither, because ownership alone decidesSize

The FAR's definition of the economically disadvantaged version, EDWOSB, goes further: the women owners must be economically disadvantaged under SBA's rules in 13 CFR part 127, and the concern must be certified by SBA or an approved third-party certifier 3.

An EDWOSB concern automatically qualifies as a WOSB concern eligible under the WOSB Program 4.

The NAICS code decides whether a set-aside is possible

WOSB Program set-asides depend on the industry and on market research. A contracting officer may restrict competition to WOSB concerns eligible under the program, including EDWOSB concerns, for requirements in NAICS codes designated by SBA as substantially underrepresented, if there is a reasonable expectation based on market research 5 that two or more such WOSB concerns will submit offers 6 and that contract award may be made at a fair and reasonable price 7.

EDWOSB-only competition has its own list: for requirements in NAICS codes designated by SBA as underrepresented, a contracting officer may restrict competition to EDWOSB concerns if market research gives a reasonable expectation 8 that two or more EDWOSB concerns will submit offers for the contract 9 and that contract award will be made at a fair and reasonable price 10.

Before you plan on WOSB or EDWOSB set-asides, look up your NAICS codes on SBA's current list of designated industries.

Check 2

A requirement's NAICS code is designated by SBA as underrepresented, but not substantially underrepresented. Which set-aside does FAR 19.1505 allow for it?An EDWOSB set-asideA WOSB set-aside open to every eligible WOSBNo women-owned set-aside of any kindA HUBZone set-aside

Worked example. Contractor L is 51 percent owned by its founder, who also runs it day to day, and it is certified under the WOSB Program. Its main NAICS code is not on SBA's list, so it watches small business set-asides there and keeps WOSB set-asides for a second code that is listed.

Check 3

Beyond women's ownership and control, what does the FAR definition of an EDWOSB concern require?Owners who are economically disadvantaged under 13 CFR part 127, and certification by SBA or an approved third-party certifierOwners who are veteransA principal office in a HUBZoneNine years of prior federal contracts

Indented paragraphs are invented worked examples. Tool links open Bids2Bank and need a free account.

Women-owned small business (WOSB and EDWOSB)

By the end you can

The NAICS code decides whether a set-aside is possible

Women-owned small business (WOSB and EDWOSB)

By the end you can

The NAICS code decides whether a set-aside is possible