WOSB construction contracts: women-owned small business set-asides

Eligibility and certification

A WOSB must be at least 51 percent owned and controlled by women who are U.S. citizens, and small under the NAICS code of the acquisition. Certification comes from SBA or an approved third-party certifier; self-certification no longer qualifies for WOSB set-asides.

Eligible NAICS codes

WOSB and EDWOSB set-asides are allowed only in NAICS codes where SBA has found women-owned firms underrepresented, and the list is revised periodically. Check the current list for your construction or A/E code before counting on a WOSB set-aside.

Goals and use

The government-wide WOSB goal is 5 percent of prime contract dollars. In construction, WOSB status is most often used on A/E work and on smaller construction set-asides, and as a teaming asset on multiple-award vehicles.

Limits on subcontracting

On any small business, SDVOSB, 8(a), HUBZone or WOSB set-aside, the prime must do a real share of the work itself: a general construction contractor may not pay more than 85 percent of the amount paid by the government to firms that are not similarly situated, and a specialty trade contractor may not pay more than 75 percent. Cost of materials is excluded from the calculation.