As a reminder to our clients, beginning on October 15, 2020, all women-owned small businesses (WOSBs) and economically disadvantaged women-owned small businesses (EDWOSBs) that plan to pursue WOSB or EDWOSB set-aside contracts or those with WOSB/EDWOSB sub-contracts, must complete the certification process for WOSB/EDWOSB. This can be done free of charge using the SBA's certification process or through a paid third-party certifier. The application for certification by SBA is free and may be completed at www.beta.certify.sba.gov. Starting October 15, if you have not completed the certification application, these changes will impact your ability to bid on WOSB/EDWOSB set-aside contracts.
If you have already been approved by a third-party certifier, the SBA will still require that you create an account with www.beta.certify.sba.gov to upload a copy of your certification to SBA so that they can complete your certification. Your recertification date for the WOSB/EDWOSB program will be based on the most recent date of certification by the third-party certifier and will still be required every three years. Similarly, if you are an 8(a)-certified or CVE-certified firm that is owned and controlled by one or more women you can avoid the full certification process with SBA. You will still need to create an account at www.beta.certify.sba.gov and upload your most recent 8(a) annual review letter or CVE verification letter, as applicable. Additional SBA guidance regarding certification options can be found here.
Remember, if you have completed the self-certification as WOSB or EDWOSB you will want to log into your account at www.certify.sba.gov where your self-certified documentation is currently stored and download all of the documentation you have there to keep for your records. This will only be available until March 31, 2021. If you have already submitted your application for certification but have not received a decision from SBA, you are permitted to bid on WOSB/EDWOSB set-aside contracts as long as you have not received a negative determination.