What is a WOSB set-aside contract?

A WOSB (Women-Owned Small Business) set-aside is a federal contract reserved for certified women-owned small businesses in industries where women-owned firms are underrepresented or substantially underrepresented. It restricts competition to WOSBs or EDWOSBs only.

What is the difference between WOSB and EDWOSB?

EDWOSB (Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business) is a subset of WOSB for firms owned by women who meet SBA's economic disadvantage thresholds. EDWOSBs can compete on both EDWOSB-only and WOSB set-asides. Standard WOSBs can only compete on WOSB set-asides.

How does GovScout Pro find WOSB contracts?

GovScout Pro searches SAM.gov live and filters by WOSB and EDWOSB set-aside type. When you add your WOSB or EDWOSB certification to your profile, Marcus scores every opportunity as GO, TEAM, or PASS based on your eligibility.

// WOSB & EDWOSB FEDERAL CONTRACTS

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GovScout Pro searches SAM.gov and scores every WOSB and EDWOSB set-aside against your certifications and NAICS codes — so you see the contracts you're actually eligible to win.

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// WOSB vs EDWOSB

Know Which Contracts
You're Eligible to Win

The WOSB program has two tiers. Knowing which one applies to your business determines which set-aside solicitations you can pursue.

WOSB

Women-Owned Small Business

51%+ owned and controlled by women. Can compete on WOSB set-aside contracts in industries where women-owned firms are underrepresented. Does not require economic disadvantage threshold.

EDWOSB

Economically Disadvantaged WOSB

All WOSB requirements plus SBA economic disadvantage threshold. Can compete on both EDWOSB-only and WOSB set-asides — giving you access to more opportunities than standard WOSB status.

How does WOSB certification work?

WOSB and EDWOSB certification is handled by SBA through the certify.sba.gov platform. You can self-certify (for non-VA contracts) or use an SBA-approved third-party certifier. SBA certification provides the strongest protections and is required for an increasing number of contracting offices.

Apply at certify.sba.gov
Certification is valid for 3 years with an annual recertification requirement
NAICS code eligibility matters — not all codes qualify for WOSB set-asides
The WOSB program covers specific NAICS codes where women are underrepresented or substantially underrepresented

// HOW GOVSCOUT PRO HELPS

Your Certification Is the Filter.
Marcus Does the Rest.

Add your WOSB or EDWOSB status to your Marcus profile. Every SAM.gov search and daily alert automatically scores opportunities against your eligibility.

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NAICS-aware scoring

WOSB set-asides are only allowed in specific NAICS codes. Marcus knows which codes are eligible and flags when a WOSB set-aside matches a code your business covers.

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Solicitation breakdown

Upload the RFP and Marcus explains what the agency needs, what certifications are required, and whether your past performance and capabilities make you competitive.

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Daily WOSB alerts

Get new WOSB and EDWOSB set-asides matching your NAICS codes sent to your email or Telegram every morning. Never miss an opportunity because you forgot to check SAM.gov.

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Bid package assistance

Marcus helps you build a compliance matrix, draft proposal sections, and validate your submission against the solicitation's requirements before you send anything out.

// FAQ

Common Questions

Which NAICS codes are eligible for WOSB set-asides?

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SBA publishes a list of NAICS codes eligible for WOSB set-asides — these are industries where women-owned firms are underrepresented or substantially underrepresented in federal contracting. The list is periodically updated. You can find the current list at sba.gov or ask Marcus to look it up for your specific codes.

Can I self-certify as a WOSB?

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Self-certification is available but SBA certification through certify.sba.gov is strongly recommended. Contracting officers increasingly require SBA certification, and it provides stronger legal protections against protests. If you're pursuing significant contracts, get SBA-certified.

What is the WOSB federal contracting goal?

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The federal government has a statutory goal of awarding 5% of all federal contracting dollars to WOSBs. This goal drives agencies to actively seek out WOSB and EDWOSB set-aside opportunities, particularly in categories where women-owned firms have historically been underrepresented.

How does GovScout Pro score WOSB opportunities?

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When you add WOSB or EDWOSB to your profile, Marcus marks WOSB set-aside contracts in your NAICS codes as GO (pursue as prime), open competitions as TEAM (worth evaluating), and cert-mismatch contracts as PASS (skip). This happens automatically for every search and daily alert.

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Plans start at $29/month. Cancel anytime. No SAM.gov API key required to get started.

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