Changes to the Federal Contracting Program for Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB)

Women-Owned Small Businesses

May 7, 2013: Changes to the federal contracting program for women-owned small business (WOSB) concerns and economically disadvantaged women-owned small business (EDWOSB) concerns will go into effect on May 7, 2013. The enactment of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for 2013 removed the caps on the contract award size for which WOSB and EDWOSB concerns have been able to compete.

SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION 

13 CFR Part 127 

RIN 3245–AG55 

Women-Owned Small Business 

Federal Contract Program 

AGENCY: U.S. Small Business Administration. 

ACTION: Interim final rule. 

SUMMARY: The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is amending its regulations to implement Section 1697 of the National Defense Authorization 

Act for Fiscal Year 2013 (NDAA). Section 1697 of the NDAA removed the statutory limitation on the dollar amount of a contract that women-owned small businesses can compete for under the Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) Program. As a result,  contracting officers may now set-aside contracts under the WOSB Program at any dollar level, as long as the other requirements for a set-aside under the program are met. 

DATES: Effective Date: This rule is effective on May 7, 2013. 

Applicability Date: This rule applies to all solicitations issued on or after the 

effective date. 

Comment Date: Comments must be received on or before June 6, 2013.

See link to the Federal Register notice: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2013-05-07/html/2013-10841.htm or http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2013-05-07/pdf/2013-10841.pdf