WOSB Set-Aside
WOSB set-asides apply only in NAICS codes where SBA has determined women-owned firms are underrepresented. That industry restriction is the single most misunderstood aspect of the program.
- Who can bid
- Certified women-owned small businesses in designated NAICS codes
- Authority
- FAR 19.15
- Typical thresholds
- Set-aside in eligible NAICS; sole source permitted within thresholds
- Where to search
- SAM.gov set-aside filter
Key takeaways
- Set-asides shrink the field — your real competition is often three to eight firms, not fifty.
- Limitations on subcontracting apply: you must perform the required share of the work yourself.
- Eligibility is determined as of your initial offer including price, so certifications must be current at submission.
- Ineligible bids are protestable, and size or status protests are common in tight competitions.
How the set-aside works
Award requires SBA or approved third-party certification, and the solicitation's NAICS code must appear on the WOSB-eligible list. EDWOSB-designated codes are further restricted to economically disadvantaged women-owned firms.
Finding these opportunities
Check the eligible NAICS list first, then filter SAM.gov for WOSB and EDWOSB set-asides within those codes. If your primary NAICS isn't eligible, the certification will not generate set-aside opportunities in that line of business.
Competing and winning
In EDWOSB-restricted competitions the bidder pool is frequently tiny, so submission discipline decides the outcome. Build the compliance matrix first, answer every Section L instruction in order, and use your certification status as a qualifier rather than a selling point.
FAQ
Which NAICS codes qualify?
SBA publishes the list of WOSB and EDWOSB eligible NAICS codes based on underrepresentation studies.
Is EDWOSB harder to obtain?
It adds personal net worth, income, and asset limits on top of WOSB requirements.
Can a WOSB bid an EDWOSB set-aside?
No. EDWOSB set-asides require EDWOSB certification.
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