The U.S. Small Business Administration published a proposed rule that will establish a process by which SBA will formally certify firms as Women-Owned Small Businesses (“WOSBs”) or Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business (“EDWOSBs”). The SBA is seeking public comments on the proposed rule by July 15, 2019. To submit comments, visit: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2019/05/14/2019-09684/women-owned-small-business-and-economically-disadvantaged-women-owned-small-business–certification.
See the SBA Press Release here.
The following proposals are included in the new rule:
- Allow participation from an expanded list of federal and state entities with existing certification programs, and confirm the continued participation of approved third-party certifiers.
- Eliminate the self-certification option consistent with the Small Business Act as amended within the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015, Public Law 113-291, and require approved third-party certifiers to notify applicants of its fees and the option to use SBA’s free online certification process.
- Revises the economic disadvantage requirements for the 8(a) BD program to be consistent to the economic disadvantage requirements for women-owned firms seeking EDWOSB status.
Read more at: The Federal Register
