Last reviewed on May 12, 2026.
WOSB and EDWOSB explained
The Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) and Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business (EDWOSB) programs reserve federal contracts for businesses that are at least 51% owned and controlled by women. The programs operate in NAICS codes the SBA has identified as industries where women-owned firms are underrepresented or substantially underrepresented in federal contracting.
EDWOSB is a subset of WOSB. A firm that qualifies as EDWOSB automatically qualifies as WOSB, but EDWOSB adds personal net worth and income limits comparable to the 8(a) program's economic disadvantage thresholds.
Program overview
$25B+
Annual WOSB contract dollars
$7M
Sole-source ceiling (most NAICS)
Certification requirements
WOSB
- 51% directly and unconditionally owned by one or more women who are U.S. citizens
- Women manage day-to-day operations
- Women make long-term business decisions
- Small under the SBA size standard for the primary NAICS
EDWOSB additional criteria
- Personal net worth under $750,000 (excluding the primary residence and the qualifying business)
- Average adjusted gross income under $350,000 over the prior three years
- Fair market value of all assets under $6 million
- Determination of economic disadvantage
Certification process
Women-owned firms certify through SBA's certify.sba.gov platform. Self-certification was eliminated for set-aside purposes; firms now need an active SBA certification or third-party certification from an SBA-approved organization.
A typical application package documents:
- Ownership: who owns each class of equity, with corporate documents supporting the 51% threshold
- Control: which woman owner runs daily operations, with bylaws and employment agreements supporting unconditional control
- Financial picture: tax returns (personal and business), financial statements, and for EDWOSB, the net worth and income detail
- Business activity: bank statements, contracts, and evidence the firm is operationally active
Certification is valid for three years subject to annual reporting of material changes.
How set-asides work in practice
SBA publishes the list of NAICS codes in which WOSB and EDWOSB set-asides are available. A contract may be set aside only when:
- The NAICS code is on the eligible list for the applicable program
- The contracting officer determines two or more eligible firms are likely to compete (the "Rule of Two")
- The award price is fair and reasonable
Sole-source authority applies within statutory dollar limits when only one capable WOSB or EDWOSB is identified. Outside the eligible NAICS list, certification still supports subcontracting plan goals carried by large primes.
Common application pitfalls
- Ownership on paper but not in practice — for example, a woman owner who holds 51% of equity while a non-woman spouse or partner retains decision authority through bylaws or operating agreements.
- Agreements that require non-owner consent for ordinary business decisions, which SBA treats as a failure of unconditional control.
- For EDWOSB, miscalculating personal net worth — particularly around the primary residence exclusion and assets held jointly with a non-disadvantaged spouse.
- Letting certification lapse while pursuing set-aside work; bids submitted by uncertified firms on WOSB set-asides are non-responsive.