The 70% increase in eligible industries significantly expands contract opportunities for certified women-owned businesses.
As we wrap up National Women’s Month, let’s review the program designed to level the playing field for women business owners. The government limits competition for certain contracts to businesses that participate in the Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) Federal Contracting Program. This program facilitates contracts for specific industries where WOSBs are underrepresented. Some contracts are restricted further to economically disadvantaged women-owned small businesses (EDWOSBs).
Increase in Eligible Industries
Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) Federal Contracting Program has significantly impacted the number of contracts awarded to women-owned businesses, with the SBA’s recent increase in eligible industries expanding opportunities even further.
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has published an updated list of eligible industries for the WOSB Federal Contracting Program. Congress requires the SBA to conduct a study every five years to identify industries in which small businesses owned and controlled by women are underrepresented in the federal marketplace. Based on the recently commissioned study, the SBA is increasing the number of eligible industries from 444 to 759, representing an increase of 315 industries.
Benefits of Joining the WOSB Program
Joining the WOSB Federal Contracting Program makes a business eligible to compete for federal contracts set aside for the program. Firms can still compete for contract awards under other socio-economic programs they qualify for.
Department of Defense (DoD): The DoD has been a major contributor, awarding a substantial amount to women-owned businesses. In 2021, it was one of the top three agencies, awarding a considerable share of its contracting dollars to these businesses.
Health and Human Services (HHS) and Social Security Administration (SSA): These agencies also allocated significant amounts to women-owned businesses, though the DoD often surpasses them in total dollars awarded.
The list of eligible NAICS can be found at SBA Qualifying NAICS.
The list of eligible NAICS can be found at https://www.sba.gov/document/support–qualifying-naics-women-owned-small-business-federal-contracting-program
Congratulations to Top WOSB Certified Companies
Congratulations to the top ten WOSB certified companies who won contracts in 2021. The number one WOSB was Tapestry Technologies!
Even though the Department of Defense was third on the list of contracting dollars spent, behind Health and Human Services and the Social Security Administration, it awarded the most dollars to WOSBs.
Take Action
If you own a woman-owned business that is not winning government contracts, it might be time to start getting your fair share of the dollars set aside for you. If you know any women who are business owners, do them a favor and share this information with them.
Sources: SBA.gov, USASpending.gov.
About the Author
Guy Burns, CSP, CCM, is the Executive Vice President of Training and Business Development for the Government Contractors Association.
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