1、CRS INSIGHT Prepared for Members and Committees of Congress INSIGHTINSIGHTi i Update to Industries Eligible for the Women- Owned Small Business Contracting Program April 12, 2022 Introduction The Small Business Administrations (SBAs) Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) Federal Contracting Program is d
2、esigned to provide greater access to federal contracts for WOSBs, including a subset that are considered “economically disadvantaged” (EDWOSBs). The program aims to help federal agencies achieve their statutory goal of awarding 5% of federal contracting dollars to WOSBs. Only twice has the 5% federa
3、l procurement goal for WOSBs been met since it was authorized in 1994. The SBA updated its list of eligible industries for the program on March 18, 2022. The list of industries determines which WOSBs may receive set-aside (limited competition) and sole-source (noncompetitive) contracts from federal
4、agencies. The SBA increased the number of eligible industries from 444 to 759, a 71% increase. By expanding the industries list, the SBA has significantly grown the number of small women-owned businesses and federal agencies able to use SBAs WOSB program. Under the WOSB program, federal contracting
