EDWOSB, WOSB set-asides possible in 70% more industries

      The Small Business Administration has expanded the number of industries in which set-asides for women-owned small contractors may be offered under the SBA’s Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) Program, effective immediately.

      The SBA announced that EDWOSBs (Economically Disadvantaged WOSBs) are now eligible for WOSB Program set-asides in 759 of the 891 total NAICS codes used for federal procurement. Those 759 NAICS codes represent 92% of all federal procurement, SBA stated in a Federal Register notice.

      In addition, all WOSBs are eligible for the program’s set-asides in 113 NAICS codes.

      Overall, the number of industries in which WOSB Program set-asides are possible has been expanded to 759, from 444 industries previously, SBA Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman said in a news release. That is a 70% increase.

Why the changes were made

      The SBA made the changes after it conducted a recent study showing that women-owned firms are underrepresented in hundreds of industries. SBA is authorized to permit WOSB Program set-asides in such industries.

      SBA is required to examine the extent of women’s underrepresentation every five years, and to adjust the number of industries in which WOSB Program set-asides are offered accordingly.

      WOSB Program set-asides for federal contracts are only available in industries in which women are substantially underrepresented, which currently total 113 NAICS codes.

      EDWOSB set-asides are available in all industries in which women are either underrepresented, 646, or substantially underrepresented, totaling 113, for a combined eligibility in 759 industries.

How large of a change?

      The SBA previously made an adjustment to the EDWOSB and WOSB set-aside industries in 2016. At that time, there were 444 NAICS industries in which WOSB Program set-asides were permitted.

      Those NAICS codes accounted for 75% of small-business spending at the time, Guzman said in her press release.

      For the full list of eligible NAICS codes, see the 2022 SBA notice link below.

More Information:
2022 SBA notice: https://bit.ly/3JyZAuj
2016 SBA notice: https://bit.ly/3rmSH97
Guzman press release: https://bit.ly/3O8T2Gk

SBA seeks big boost to govcon & entrepreneurship 2023 funds

Polaris on pause

EDWOSB, WOSB set-asides possible in 70% more industries

SBA updates size standards

Some Econ. Price Adjustment limitations are suspended

GSA releases 5-year plan

Davis-Bacon updates

Column: The Rest of the Story on Unique Entity IDs

Washington Insider:

Coronavirus Update