First RFPs Are Set Aside for Woman-Owned Firms Only about 3,500 companies have completed certification requirements to qualify for set-asides for woman-owned small businesses. SBA says agencies should begin awarding set-aside contracts during the fourth quarter of the year, which starts July 1. About 50 set-aside RFPs and sources-sought notices had been posted on FedBizOpps as of June 20, ranging from flower-bed repair to design and construction of a power plant. “People are really excited that this is finally in place,” said Michele Chang, senior adviser to SBA’s Office of Government Contracting and Business Development. The women’s set-aside was delayed for 10 years by bureaucratic and legal maneuvering. Chang acknowledged that some business owners may be daunted by the extensive certification requirements. “It takes time to understand what needs to be done,” she said in an interview. At present, woman-owned firms can only self-certify their eligibility. Nearly four months after final rules for the program became effective, SBA has not yet approved any third-party certifiers. Chang said the agency is in the final stages of reviewing applications. The self-certification process requires businesses to post extensive documentation on an SBA website to prove their eligibility. A guide to certification is available at www.sba.gov/wosb. The slow rate of certifications may also reflect the fact that set-asides are limited to certain industries. Set-asides will be permitted for all woman-owned firms in 38 NAICS codes where women were found to be substantially underrepresented in federal contracting; set-asides are reserved for economically disadvantaged woman-owned firms in 45 NAICS codes where women were found to be underrepresented. Chang said SBA is conducting spot checks of certified companies to make sure they have complied with all requirements. Agency contracting officers can also inspect the certification documents before they award a contract. SBA has been holding webinars and in-person training sessions for contracting officers and working through agency OSDBU offices to acquaint them with the new set-aside program.