SBA seeks input on WOSB certification

With little to no advance notice, Congress a year ago eliminated the ability of Women-Owned Small Businesses to self certify as such to become eligible for WOSB set-asides.

Congress instead mandated that the Small Business Administration oversee formal certifications of WOSBs.

The SBA now is reaching out to the public to obtain detailed advice on best practices for a new WOSB certification program.

Comments are due by Feb. 16.

In a Federal Register notice, the SBA said it intends to publish new regulations for WOSB certification but at this time is seeking ideas on “the most appropriate way to structure” a certification program for WOSBs and Economically-Disadvantaged WOSBs.

Here are some of the SBA’s questions for the public:

1 - Given that WOSBs can be certified by SBA, another federal agency, state government or by a national certifying entity approved by the SBA, what is the best choice, and which choices are not feasible?

2 - Should the current WOSB repository be maintained? For how long? How should it be used in the future?

3 - How many third-party certifiers are needed nationwide? Should the SBA set more rules for how the third-party entities should operate?

Should the SBA consider fees charged to WOSB applicants to be a factor in evaluating third-party entities?

For how long should the third-party entities be authorized?

4 - Should the SBA set up its own certification program for WOSBs and EDWOSBs?

However, the SBA cautioned that it has limited resources to deploy such a program on its own, and without additional funding the WOSB certification period may be “overly lengthy.”

More information: https://goo.gl/swjIjC