Government Contracts for Women-Owned Small Businesses
Through SBA's Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) Federal Contract Program, agencies can reserve some contracts for women-owned small businesses, and some only for economically disadvantaged women-owned small businesses (EDWOSBs). These set-asides are allowed only in the industries (NAICS codes) where SBA has found women-owned firms are underrepresented.
The government's goal is to award 5% of its contract dollars to women-owned small businesses. In fiscal year 2025 it reached 4.52%, so agencies are still short of the goal.
45 open WOSB set-asides on SAM.gov right now, updated daily.
Open WOSB set-asides with 2+ days to respond
Showing 9 of 45: the soonest due with 2+ days left to respond. The others are due later, close within 2 days or have no deadline.
- Ring Assembly, Turret R
Due in 2 daysNov 16, 2026
- Sheet, Metal
Due in 2 daysNov 16, 2026
- Mount, Swivel
Due in 2 daysNov 16, 2026
- Plate, Metal
Due in 2 daysNov 16, 2026
- Sheet, Metal
Due in 2 daysNov 16, 2026
- Adaptive Diagnostic El
Due in 2 daysNov 16, 2026
- Tube, Metallic
Due in 2 daysNov 16, 2026
- Modification Kit, Vehic
Due in 2 daysNov 16, 2026
- Parts Kit, Fluid Pressu
Due in 2 daysNov 16, 2026
Who qualifies
- At least 51% owned and controlled by women who are U.S. citizens, with women managing the business day to day.
- Small under the size standard for the contract's NAICS code.
- EDWOSB adds economic limits for each woman owner: personal net worth under $850,000, adjusted gross income of $400,000 or less (3-year average), and total assets of $6.5 million or less.
How to get certified
Since October 2020, you need certification to win a WOSB or EDWOSB set-aside; self-certifying no longer counts. SBA's certification is free at certifications.sba.gov. SBA-approved third-party certifiers are also accepted, and they may charge a fee.
Not sure you qualify? Take the free certification screener: a few quick questions about WOSB and the other SBA programs.
Frequently asked questions
Can a women-owned business bid on regular small business set-asides too?
Yes. If you're small under the contract's size standard, you can bid on total small business set-asides as well, and there are far more of those.
What's the difference between WOSB and EDWOSB?
EDWOSB is a subset of WOSB for owners who also meet economic limits on net worth, income and assets. An EDWOSB can compete for both WOSB and EDWOSB set-asides; a WOSB can compete only for WOSB set-asides.
Does WOSB certification cost anything?
Not through SBA. SBA's certification is free. Third-party certifiers that SBA approves may charge a fee, but you don't need one.
Read next
- Set-Aside Contracts Explained: Small Business, 8(a), HUBZone, WOSB and SDVOSB
- Who Can Sell to the Federal Government? (Probably You)
- How to Find Government Contracts for Your Small Business
- How many contracts agencies set aside each month
Other set-asides: SDVOSB · 8(a) · HUBZone · Small business (no certification needed) · Veteran-owned (VA only) · All set-asides
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