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Women-Owned Small Business Federal Contract Program.

WOSB certification allows qualifying women-owned small firms to compete for federal contracts reserved in industries where women-owned businesses are underrepresented.

Offered bySBA Office of Government Contracting and Business Developmentverified 2026-07-10

Overview

What it does.

A qualifying Chester business applies through MySBA Certifications. Certification provides procurement eligibility, not money, and actual opportunities depend on the firm's industry, capabilities, and agency demand.

Best for: Women-owned small businesses prepared to market and perform in the federal contracting system.

Eligibility

Who and what may qualify.

Eligible applicants

  • Small businesses at least 51 percent owned and controlled by women who are U.S. citizens
  • Qualifying economically disadvantaged women-owned small businesses for the EDWOSB designation

Applicants excluded by the source

  • Businesses that do not meet SBA ownership, control, size, and certification requirements

Eligible uses

  • Competing for WOSB set-aside contracts in eligible industries
  • Competing for EDWOSB opportunities when additional economic-disadvantage requirements are met

Uses excluded by the source

  • Direct grants or loans
  • Automatic contract awards

Application

How to start.

  1. Confirm small-business size plus ownership and control requirements
  2. Register in SAM.gov
  3. Apply through MySBA Certifications and maintain certification records

Timing: Certification applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

Planning notes

Limits to account for.

  • Set-asides are limited to eligible industries and procurement conditions
  • Certification does not guarantee contracts
  • Continuing eligibility and recertification apply

A firm may hold WOSB and other SBA certifications when it separately satisfies each program.

Evidence

Official sources.