Each year, the federal government awards a targeted percentage of contracting dollars to women-owned small businesses through the WOSB Federal Contract Program. Agencies can set aside contracts exclusively for WOSBs and EDWOSBs in eligible industries — and in some cases award them sole-source. For a woman-owned firm, certification is the key that unlocks this pipeline.
WOSB vs EDWOSB: what's the difference?
Both programs require a business that is at least 51% unconditionally owned, controlled, and managed by one or more women who are U.S. citizens. The difference is economic status:
- WOSB: any qualifying women-owned small business. WOSB set-asides are available in a specific list of NAICS codes where women are underrepresented in federal contracting.
- EDWOSB: a women-owned firm whose owner also proves economic disadvantage — personal net worth (excluding primary residence and business equity), adjusted gross income, and total assets must fall within SBA thresholds.
If you qualify for EDWOSB, pursue it: EDWOSB set-asides are mandatory in a broader set of NAICS codes, and only EDWOSBs can receive those awards.
How to get certified
You can certify directly through the SBA's free online portal at certify.sba.gov, or through one of the SBA-approved third-party certifiers (such as WBENC) whose certification the SBA accepts. The practical steps:
- Document 51% ownership and control: stock or membership records, operating agreements, and proof the woman owner directs day-to-day operations, strategy, and contracting decisions.
- Confirm the right NAICS codes: your primary NAICS code must be on the WOSB/EDWOSB eligible list for set-aside eligibility.
- Complete the portal application: upload ownership, control, and (for EDWOSB) financial documentation, and attest to eligibility.
- Add your status to SAM.gov and keep your registration active — an expired SAM registration makes even a certified WOSB ineligible.
💡 Pro tip
Before you apply, run your finances through the EDWOSB thresholds. Many owners who assume they only qualify as WOSB are actually EDWOSB-eligible — and EDWOSB status unlocks more set-asides.
Where the set-aside opportunities are
WOSB set-asides are concentrated in industries where women-owned firms are underrepresented — commonly including construction, janitorial and facility services, engineering and technical services, IT services, and several manufacturing categories. To find them:
- Filter federal opportunity searches by "Women-Owned Small Business" or "EDWOSB" set-aside designations on SAM.gov and agency portals.
- Watch for sole-source authority: in eligible NAICS codes, agencies can award contracts to a qualified WOSB or EDWOSB without full competition.
- Track the limitations on subcontracting — for services, your firm must perform at least 50% of the work itself.
- Set up automated alerts on set-aside designations so you see qualifying opportunities the day they post — competition for WOSB set-asides is real, and early visibility wins.
Turning certification into contracts
Certification alone doesn't win bids — but it does remove the biggest barrier: the "can you even bid?" question. Update your capability statement with your WOSB/EDWOSB status, mention it in your technical approach only where relevant, and pair certification with real past performance and competitive pricing. Tools like Contrax make the pipeline automatic: set-aside-first bid matching that surfaces WOSB and EDWOSB opportunities for your NAICS codes, AI proposal drafting, and win-probability scoring so you bid where you can win.
Requirements and NAICS eligibility lists change periodically — confirm the current rules on the SBA's official program pages before applying.