WOSB Certification

• • Proof of ACTIVE registration in SAM (Printout of Entity Overview)
    • Go to www.sam.gov (NOTE: The is NO FEE required for SAM registration when using the correct government website provided.
    • Click on “Register/Update Entity” from My SAM menu
    • Click “Completed Registrations”
    • Select Company Name under Entity List
    • Click “View” under Registration Details
    • Opens into Entity Overview for printing
    • SAM registration must be validated before the status is listed as Active. This process normally takes 3-5 business days; however, due to the new requirement (see below), the process is taking multiple weeks. If interested, please begin the SAM process immediately to not delay the certification process.
    • As of June 11, 2018, entities registering in SAM must submit a notarized letter appointing their authorized Entity Administrator.
    • One of the following documents must be submitted:
      • Printout of first page of IRS Form 941 (for previous 4 quarters)
      • W-3 from previous year
      • Current list of employees (ONLY if the previous two items do not apply to our company)
        • If you are a sole owner of the applicant company, please provide a statement listing yourself as the sole employee or operator
    • Based upon the company’s business structure, the following documents must be submitted (if not submitted, the WOSB application cannot be processed)
      • Corporation
        • Bylaws
        • Stock Transfer Ledger
      • LLC
        • Operating Agreement
      • Partnership
        • Partnership Agreement|

NOTE: In order to be processed for the WOSB certification, the company’s Primary NAICS Code must align with the Principal Business Activity listed on the company’s federal tax return.

If interested in WOSB certification, the applicant MUST select ‘Yes’ when answering the first question of the online application in Section 1: General Information, “Would you like to apply for WOSB certification?”

NOTE: Applicants may only apply for WOSB Certification when applying as a new or recertifying WBE applicant.
Upload the WOSB Documentation listed in ‘Required Documents’ section

Once WOSB/WBENC certification is granted, applicants must complete the additional United States SBA required steps to be eligible to participate in the WOSB Federal Contracting Program. Click here to determine if you are eligible.

Submit your WBENC issued WOSB certificate to the SBA in the MySBA Certifications system.

a. New WOSB Applicants

1. Go to https://certifications.sba.gov
2. Click Sign Up and follow the prompts
   1. Use this link for detailed instructions: https://sbaone.atlassian.net/l/cp/k9iuEEin
3. Once your certification is confirmed, you will receive a formal confirmation from the SBA.

b. Returning WOSB Applicants

1. Companies granted the WOSB Certification through WBENC will also have to create an account at https://certifications.sba.gov to provide the most recent WOSB certificate issued before the SBA WOSB Regulation Expiration date listed on the WOSB Certificate.
2. This process should be completed within 60 days of the company’s SBA WOSB Regulation Expiration date.

NOTE: The expiration date on your WOSB certificate corresponds to the expiration date on your current WBENC WBE certificate. To ensure that both remain current in WBENCLink, please submit your recertification application for both certificates no less than ninety (90) days prior to the expiration date. The SBA grants a three-year WOSB certification. Please ensure you are following the steps that apply, either as a New or Returning WOSB Applicant.

*If not eligible to participate in the set aside program, no additional action is needed. For additional assistance with the SBA site, you may email the SBA at certifications@sba.gov or call 1-866-443-4110.

The program provides government-owned procuring agencies a tool to help meet their WOSB contracting goal of 5% of prime contracting dollars being awarded to WOSBs. Additionally, restricting competition to qualified WOSBs and EDWOSBs increases their success to compete for and win federal contracts. (Note that WBENC will certify WOSBs, not EDWOSBs.)

There are 38 four-digit North American Industry Classification Systems (NAICS) codes which equates to over 150 six-digit NAICS codes which WOSBs are eligible for Federal Contracting under the WOSB Program. Additionally, there are 45 four-digit North American Industry Classification Systems (NAICS) codes which equates to over 200 six-digit NAICS codes which EDWOSBs are eligible for Federal Contracting under the WOSB Program. WBENC is only providing certification for WOSBs at this time.

To see what codes are eligible, please view the complete listing of the WOSB Program Applicable NAICS Codes.

If you are a WBENC-Certified WBE who is interested in pursuing WOSB certification and you are currently providing goods and services in the eligible NAICS codes categories, you will complete the steps outlined here.

The United States SBA is charged with implementing and administering the program. This means that United States SBA publishes regulations that provide framework for the program, develops and maintains the WOSB Program Repository, conducts eligibility examinations of WOSBs, reviews and makes decisions on protests, approves third party certifiers, conducts studies to determine eligible industries, and works with other Federal agencies in assisting WOSBs and EDWOSBs.

There is no term limit on program participation like there is in the 8(a) Program. You can bid WOSB Program contracts as long as you are eligible for the program and have met all of the requirements set forth in the regulations.

WBENC is currently providing WOSB certification as a complimentary service during the WBENC WBE certification process. The SBA also offers the WOSB and EDWOSB certification for no charge.

If the 51% is owned by an ESOP, holding company or irrevocable trust, the company is not eligible. For more details, please review the WOSB Ready site.

Yes, please follow the instructions for Once WOSB/WBENC Certification is granted here.

No, WBENC only offers the WOSB certification.

No, the SBA offers a free application process that can be completed at beta.certify.sba.gov. Choosing to proceed with WBENC provides you with the option to obtain dual certification, WBE and WOSB.