WOSB Program – Upcoming Changes:
The WOSB Program issued a notice yesterday to all WOSBs and EDWOSBs (active and inactive) in the current Certify.sba.gov. GCBD is sharing the communication below to increase your awareness about the upcoming program changes.
It is expected the Final Rule will be published on June 30, 2020 and will be effective 30 days later.
FAQS: https://www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/2020-02/SBA_WOSB_FAQ_v3.pdf
Certification options table: https://www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/2020-02/SBA_WOSB_Table_v4.pdf
In summer 2020, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) will publish a final rule that will provide a free online application process for women-owned small businesses to be certified and eligible to participate in SBA’s Women-Owned Small Business Federal Contract Program for access to federal contracts restricted for Women-Owned Small Businesses (WOSBs) or Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Businesses (EDWOSBs).
The new certification program will bolster the number of federal contract awards to WOSB and EDWOSB-certified businesses and better empower agencies to meet the 5 percent federal contracting goal for women-owned small businesses.
In preparations for this new rule, SBA is notifying all firms that have made a designation of WOSB or EDWOSB.
When the new rule is finalized, the WOSB and EDWOSB repository will transition to a new online platform for program applicants that will include many technical improvements. SBA will have an operational platform in May.