SBA Final Rule for WOSB/EDWOSB Certifications

While many businesses are focused on strategies to push through COVID 19, the long-awaited SBA Final Rule for WOSB/EDWOSB Certifications was issued in May and will take effective July 15, 2020. The time is now to take note of these changes and their pros and cons for women-owned businesses interested in or currently pursuing federal government contracts.

The SBA has amended its regulations to implement the statutory requirement that Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) concerns and Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business (EDWOSB) concerns be formally certified in order to participate in the federal government contracting program. Self-certification is now eliminated. The effective date of this rule is just weekS away and WOSBs and EDWOSBs that are not certified will not be eligible for new contracts under the program.

Michelle Kantor, Esq, Chair of the Government Contracting Group of McDonald Hopkins LLC, will present highlights on the SBA Final Rule for WOSB/EDWOSB Certification and its impact on women-owned businesses pursuing federal government contracts. Michelle will outline eligibility criteria, certification options for WOSBs and EDWOSBs through the SBA or third-party certifiers. Her presentation will briefly review the process for sole sourcing, contracting officers’ set aside procedures and other relevant issu