EDWOSB

EDWOSB stands for Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business. It is a designation used within the United States federal procurement system, administered by the Small Business Administration (SBA), to help eligible women-owned firms compete for set-aside contracts designated for WOSB or EDWOSB. The program aims to increase opportunities for women entrepreneurs in federal contracting.

To qualify, a business must be small and at least 51% owned and controlled by one or more women. The women owners must meet SBA-defined economic-disadvantage criteria, which typically involve thresholds related to personal net worth, income, and other financial indicators that the SBA updates periodically. The business must be primarily operated by the disadvantaged owner(s) with day-to-day management and control of decisions.

Certification and verification: Firms may seek EDWOSB designation through SBA-approved certifiers or, in some cases, self-certification. Federal contracting officers verify eligibility during the procurement process. The SBA maintains a registry of eligible WOSB/EDWOSB firms, and contractors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) and listed in the WOSB/EDWOSB databases as part of pursuing set-aside opportunities.

Scope and impact: EDWOSB contracts are targeted opportunities intended to level the playing field for economically disadvantaged women-owned small businesses. Not all federal contracts are set aside; when a contract is designated for WOSB or EDWOSB, competition is usually restricted to firms meeting the applicable ownership and economic-disadvantage criteria, though agencies may award non-designated contracts as well depending on program rules and competition.