GERC provides WOSB certification and EDWOSB certification help for women-owned small businesses nationwide, filed through MySBA Certifications.
Federal agencies carry a 5% contracting goal for women-owned small businesses. Self-certification no longer opens the set-aside door — certification does.
- SBA fee: Free
- Federal goal: 5%
- Typical timeline: 30–90 days
- Where: All 50 states
WOSB means at least 51% owned and controlled by one or more women who are U.S. citizens. EDWOSB adds an economic disadvantage test on the owner’s personal finances, and unlocks a further set of set-aside contracts.
What gets examined
- Unconditional ownership of at least 51% by women
- A woman holds the highest officer position and manages daily operations
- Governing documents that don’t give someone else control in practice
- For EDWOSB, personal net worth, income and assets below the thresholds
Where it goes wrong
Control, almost always. An operating agreement requiring unanimous consent, a spouse signing the contracts, or a woman owner whose title is nominal while someone else runs operations will all draw questions. Those are fixable — before the application, not after a denial.
Stacking
WOSB pairs naturally with 8(a) and HUBZone federally, and with WBENC certification for corporate buyers. Different programmes, same evidence base — done together, you assemble it once.
$2,400
WOSB · EDWOSB $3,950 · no SBA fee
- Eligibility determination first: $500 ($750 for EDWOSB), non-refundable, credited to your total
- Ownership and control evidence assembled to SBA’s standard
- Governing documents reviewed for control problems first
- EDWOSB personal net worth documentation where it applies
- Full submission through SBA’s certification system
- Reviewer questions answered until a decision
- Annual attestation and recertification dates tracked
SBA charges no fee. Our fee covers building an application that clears review the first time.
50% to start, balance on delivery.
What people ask about WOSB.
Is self-certification still enough?
Not for WOSB set-aside contracts. Firms must be certified through SBA or an approved third-party certifier to compete for them.
What is the difference between WOSB and EDWOSB?
EDWOSB adds an economic disadvantage test on the owner’s personal finances and opens additional set-asides.
How long does it take?
Typically 30 to 90 days once the application is complete.
Is WOSB the same as WBENC?
No. WOSB is federal, for government contracts. WBENC is private certification for corporate supplier diversity programmes.
Do I need to recertify?
Yes — there are annual attestations and periodic recertification. We track the dates.
What usually comes next.
- SBA 8(a) Certification: Full 8(a) application, from eligibility review through SBA follow-up. ($5,500)
- HUBZone Certification: Principal office and residency evidence assembled and submitted. ($2,500)
- SDVOSB & VOSB Certification: Veteran and service-disabled veteran certification, start to finish. ($1,950)