Eligibility Requirements

To qualify as a women-owned small business (WOSB), a business must meet the following requirements identified in 13 CFR 127.200, 201, and 202:

• Meet the small business size standard for the primary NAICS code and contract
• Be at least 51% unconditionally and directly owned by women who are U.S. citizens
• Women must manage the day-to-day operations
• Women must make the long-term decisions for the business
• A woman must the hold highest officer position in the business
• This woman must work at the business full-time during normal working hours.
• No minimum amount of time for the business to be operational

In order to qualify as an economically disadvantaged women-owned small business (EDWOSB), a business must meet all the requirements for a WOSB and its owner(s) must demonstrate economic disadvantage as set forth in 13 CFR 127.203.

• Personal net worth (assets minus liabilities) is less than $750,000 excluding:
  • Ownership in business and primary personal residence
  • Income reinvested or used to pay taxes of business
  • Funds reinvested in IRA or other retirement account*
  • Transferred assets within two years if to or on behalf of immediate family member for select purposes
• Adjusted gross income average over three years is $350,000 or less excluding:
  • Income reinvested or used to pay taxes of business
• Fair market value of all assets is $6 million or less.