Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) Government Contracts: 2026 Guide

TL;DR: The federal government's goal is to award at least 5% of all contract dollars to women-owned small businesses — and in FY2025, WOSB/EDWOSB firms won a record $30.1 billion (5.2% of prime contracting dollars). WOSB certification gives you access to set-aside contracts with less competition. Browse set-aside tenders — free.

The Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) Federal Contracting Program is one of the most powerful — and underused — tools for women entrepreneurs who want to sell to the government. The program limits competition on certain contracts to WOSB-certified firms, meaning you're bidding against a smaller pool instead of the entire market.

In FY2025, the program hit a milestone: $30.1 billion awarded to WOSB and EDWOSB firms, exceeding the 5% statutory goal for the first time at 5.2% of prime contracting dollars. The year before, the government fell short at 4.6% ($28.1 billion). The trend is clear — more dollars are flowing to women-owned businesses every year.

What is the WOSB program?

The WOSB Federal Contracting Program allows federal agencies to set aside contracts specifically for certified women-owned small businesses. It's a government-wide program — every federal agency participates.

The program has two certification levels: WOSB (Women-Owned Small Business) and EDWOSB (Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business). EDWOSB certification gives you access to both WOSB set-asides AND additional EDWOSB-only set-asides — it's strictly better if you qualify.

WOSB vs EDWOSB: what's the difference?

The sole-source authority is the key advantage of EDWOSB. A contracting officer can award a contract directly to an EDWOSB firm — without competition — up to $7 million for manufacturing or $4.5 million for all other industries. This shortcut only applies to EDWOSB, not regular WOSB.

How to get WOSB certified in 2026

Certification is free through the SBA's MySBA Certifications portal. Here's the process:

Step 1: Register on SAM.gov. You must have an active SAM.gov registration before applying for WOSB certification.

Step 2: Gather your documents. You'll need:

• Articles of incorporation or organization
• Operating agreement or bylaws showing ownership and control
• Federal tax returns (3 years for EDWOSB net worth verification)
• Proof of US citizenship for all women owners
• Business financial statements

Step 3: Apply through MySBA Certifications. Go to certify.sba.gov and create an application. Upload your documents and submit. Alternatively, you can get certified through an SBA-approved third-party certifier like WBENC (Women's Business Enterprise National Council).

Step 4: Wait for review. SBA reviews typically take 60-90 days. You may be asked for additional documentation.

Step 5: Recertify annually. WOSB certification requires annual recertification to maintain your eligibility.

Which NAICS codes qualify for WOSB set-asides?

Not every industry qualifies. The SBA maintains a list of 759 eligible NAICS codes where women-owned businesses are underrepresented. Of these:

• 646 NAICS codes are eligible for WOSB set-asides (industries where WOSBs are substantially underrepresented)
• 113 NAICS codes are eligible for EDWOSB-only set-asides (industries where WOSBs are underrepresented)

Top qualifying industries include:

The full list is published at sba.gov. Check that your NAICS codes are on the list before counting on WOSB set-asides.

Dollar thresholds and competition rules

WOSB set-asides follow specific rules:

For WOSB set-asides: A contracting officer can restrict competition to WOSB firms when the contract is in an eligible NAICS code, the estimated value is at or below the simplified acquisition threshold ($350,000), and the officer has a reasonable expectation that at least two WOSBs will submit competitive offers (the "rule of two").

For EDWOSB sole-source awards: A contracting officer can award directly to one EDWOSB firm — without competition — when the contract value is at or below $7 million (manufacturing) or $4.5 million (all other industries), and no other EDWOSB firm can reasonably satisfy the requirement.

Above the SAT: WOSB set-asides are also available for contracts above $350,000, but contracting officers use them less frequently at higher values.

How to find WOSB set-aside contracts

On SAM.gov: Use the Contract Opportunities search and filter by "Set-Aside" = "Women-Owned Small Business." You can also search for "WOSB" or "Women-Owned" in the solicitation title or description.

Through GovBid alerts: Sign up for daily alerts matched to your industry. WOSB set-asides appear alongside all other opportunities — filter by keywords or set-aside type.

Agency OSDBU offices: Every federal agency has an Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU). Contact the OSDBU at agencies that buy what you sell — they can point you to upcoming WOSB set-asides before they're publicly posted.

Success strategies for WOSB contractors

Start with simplified acquisitions. WOSB set-asides are most common for contracts under $350,000. This is the sweet spot — less paperwork, faster awards, and contracting officers are most comfortable using WOSB set-asides at this level. See our guide to bidding with no experience for entry-level strategies.

Use the SBA Mentor-Protege Program. Pair with an experienced contractor to form a joint venture. The JV can bid as a WOSB using the protege's certification, while the mentor provides past performance and technical capability.

Build relationships with primes. Large prime contractors need small business subcontractors to meet their own subcontracting goals. If you're WOSB-certified, primes can count your subcontract dollars toward their women-owned small business targets.

Track agency scorecards. The SBA's Small Business Procurement Scorecard grades every agency on WOSB achievement. Agencies that scored below 5% last year are under pressure to increase WOSB awards this year — target them.

State-level programs for women-owned businesses

Many states run their own WBE (Women Business Enterprise) certifications separate from federal WOSB. These are worth pursuing if you bid on state contracts:

• Massachusetts — SDO WBE certification through the Supplier Diversity Office
• California — SB/DVBE certification (women-owned qualifies under SB)
• Virginia — SWaM certification includes Women-Owned category
• New York, Texas, Florida — Each has state-level WBE programs through their procurement offices

State certifications don't transfer to federal contracts (and vice versa), so apply for both if you bid at both levels.

The bottom line

WOSB certification is free, the program is growing, and FY2025 proved the government is serious about hitting its 5% target. If you qualify, there's no strategic reason not to certify. The combination of set-aside contracts and EDWOSB sole-source authority opens doors that are closed to non-certified competitors. Start with your SAM.gov registration, apply through MySBA Certifications, and target simplified acquisitions in your eligible NAICS codes.

Further reading

• Government Set-Aside Contracts — All federal set-aside programs explained
• How to Get Contracts With No Experience — Entry strategies for new contractors
• SAM.gov Beginner's Guide — Registration walkthrough
• How to Bid on Your First Contract — Step-by-step bidding guide