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SBA Announces Changes to Contracting Program to Help Women-Owned Businesses Compete for Federal Contracts
by TiffaniC, Community Moderator
- Created: January 22, 2013, 4:12 pm
- Updated: January 22, 2013, 4:12 pm
Are you a woman-owned business looking to get a slice of the more than $400 billion dollar federal contracting pie? Under the new National Defense Authorization Act of 2013, the SBA will make changes to its Women-Owned Small Business Federal Contract Program to help women-owned small businesses get more federal contracts and help the federal government meet and exceed its statutory five percent women’s contracting goal.
How Will the National Defense Authorization Act of 2013 Affect Women-Owned Small Businesses?
Prior to the new law, the anticipated award price of a contract for women-owned (WOSB) and economically disadvantaged women-owned small businesses (EDWOSB) could not exceed $6.5 million for manufacturing contracts and $4 million for all other contracts. The new law removes these thresholds for WOSBs and EDWOSBs allowing them greater access to federal contracting opportunities without limitations or restrictions to the value of a contract.
The law also requires the SBA to conduct another study to identify and report industries underrepresented by women-owned small businesses. As a result, more eligible women-owned businesses may be able to participate in SBA’s Women’s Federal Contract Program and compete for and win federal contracts.
How Do You Know If You Are Eligible for the Women’s Contracting Program?
To be eligible for the program, you must meet the following criteria:
- Your business must be 51 percent owned and controlled by one or more women, and primarily managed by one or more women.
- You must be a U.S. citizen.
- Your business must be considered to be a “small” business according to SBA’s size standards. To view the various size standards for individual industries, take a look at SBA's Table of Small Business Size Standards by North American Industry Classifications Systems (NAICS).
- Your business must be "economically disadvantaged". This is determined by specific financial requirements set forth in SBA’s program regulations.
Third Party Certification and Self-Certification
Every firm that wishes to participate in the WOSB program must meet the eligibility requirements and either self-certify or obtain third party certification. There are four approved third-party certifiers that perform eligibility exams: El Paso Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, National Women Business Owners Corporation, U.S. Women’s Chamber of Commerce, and the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council.
Contracting Opportunities for Women-Owned Businesses
The WOSB Program identifies eighty-three four-digit North American Industry Classification Systems (NAICS) codes where WOSBs are underrepresented or substantially underrepresented. Contracting officers may set aside contracts in these industries if the contract can be awarded at a fair and reasonable price and the contracting officer has a reasonable expectation that two or more WOSBs or EDWOSBs will submit offers for the contract.
About the Author
I'm a Public Affairs Specialist in the Office of Communication & Public Liasion and the media liaison for SBA's Office of Government Contracting.
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Comments
unicornhollow | Window Shopper | 2/1/2013 - 2:59 pm
Will my previous WOSB infomation be automatically incorporated into S.A.M. or
will I be required to hire a 3rd Party Certification firm to start over
again?
garyswiftbonds | Window Shopper | 1/30/2013 - 10:05 am
of business that good, qualified women-owned businesses can compete for. Many
of our bond clients are construction companies and they have grown past the
limits, which seems to punish them for being successful on only a job or two.
Now they can grow to a much more sustainable size.
Betty Maul | Window Shopper | 1/29/2013 - 2:21 pm
Women's Business Enterprise National Council and also an approved WOSB
Tell me where to go to see if our digital print/promo capabilities are a
match for any requests.
Also in the plans are they going to make the GSA contract a shorter form?
Most WOSB and WBE's cannot afford the companies that charge thousands to do
the paperwork on the GSA.. Would love to see reform there or a short form for
underutilized companies.
JGabriel | Community Moderator | 2/1/2013 - 12:00 pm
Texas Gift Baskets | Window Shopper | 1/28/2013 - 4:13 pm
will create great opportunities. Very exciting!
RanjaniMohana | Window Shopper | 1/27/2013 - 6:48 pm
for Third Party Certifications to recognize WOSB and not self-certification.
There is a fee charged to the small businesses to obtain Third Party
certifications.
Calgary Moving Company | Window Shopper | 1/25/2013 - 11:04 am
Thank you for sharing this information!! As a woman in the workforce it's
very encouraging to see change when it comes to women as business owners!!
pda1 | Window Shopper | 1/24/2013 - 2:28 am
Advertising Solutions | Window Shopper | 1/23/2013 - 6:55 pm
about people who just got a green card? Will this be applicable to them?
JGabriel | Community Moderator | 1/28/2013 - 12:49 pm
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