Set-Aside Programs
Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) Contract Opportunities
Last updated:
The WOSB Federal Contract Program gives certified women-owned businesses access to set-aside contracts in industries where women are underrepresented in federal contracting. EDWOSB firms receive additional exclusive opportunities.
What Is the WOSB Program?
The Women-Owned Small Business Federal Contract Program (WOSB Program) was created to address the underrepresentation of women-owned businesses in federal contracting. WOSB and EDWOSB set-aside and sole-source contract obligations totaled $2.0 billion (SBA Annual Procurement Scorecard) in FY2024. Contracting officers can restrict competition to WOSB or EDWOSB firms for solicitations in designated NAICS codes where women are underrepresented.
To qualify as a WOSB:
- The business must be at least 51% owned by women who are U.S. citizens
- Women must control the management and daily business operations
- A woman must hold the highest officer position
- The business must qualify as small under the solicitation NAICS code
- The business must be certified through SBA or an approved third-party certifier
WOSB vs EDWOSB: Which Applies to You?
| Criteria | WOSB | EDWOSB |
|---|---|---|
| 51% women-owned | Required | Required |
| AGI under $400,000 (3-yr avg) | Not required | Required |
| Net worth under $850K | Not required | Required |
| WOSB set-asides | Eligible | Eligible |
| EDWOSB-only set-asides | Not eligible | Eligible |
EDWOSB eligibility thresholds per the SBA WOSB program page.
Industries with WOSB Set-Aside Opportunities
The SBA designates specific NAICS codes as eligible for WOSB and EDWOSB set-asides based on underrepresentation data. Common eligible categories include:
- Professional, scientific, and technical services
- Health care and social assistance
- Educational services
- Administrative and support services
- Construction (specialty trades)
- Information technology services
Check the SBA's current eligible NAICS code list to see whether your industry qualifies. The list is updated periodically.
How to Find WOSB Contract Opportunities
On SAM.gov, filter by Set-Aside Type: Women-Owned Small Business or Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business. On EasyGov, click the WOSB filter button to see only WOSB/EDWOSB set-aside opportunities.
Browse WOSB opportunities on EasyGov →Related Programs
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between WOSB and EDWOSB?
WOSB (Women-Owned Small Business) is for businesses at least 51% owned, controlled, and managed by women who are U.S. citizens. EDWOSB (Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business) adds an economic disadvantage test: the owner's adjusted gross income must be under $400,000 (three-year average), personal net worth under $850,000 (excluding home and business equity), and total assets under $6.5 million. EDWOSBs can compete in all WOSB set-asides and additional restricted NAICS codes where EDWOSBs have exclusive preference.
Do I need to be certified to use the WOSB set-aside program?
Yes, since 2020 all firms claiming WOSB or EDWOSB status must be formally certified — either through the SBA directly or through an SBA-approved third-party certifier. Self-certification is no longer permitted for WOSB and EDWOSB set-aside contracts. Approved third-party certifiers include WBENC, NWBOC, El Paso Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and the US Women's Chamber of Commerce.
Which NAICS codes have WOSB set-aside eligibility?
The SBA publishes a list of NAICS codes where WOSB and/or EDWOSB set-asides are authorized. These include industries where women-owned businesses are underrepresented or substantially underrepresented in federal contracting. The list is updated periodically. You can find the current eligible NAICS codes on the SBA website.
Can a business hold multiple set-aside certifications?
Yes. A business can hold multiple certifications simultaneously — for example, being both SDVOSB and WOSB certified, or both 8(a) and HUBZone certified. Each certification opens different set-aside opportunities. When a solicitation has multiple applicable set-asides, the contracting officer determines which to apply based on agency goals and availability of qualified vendors.