The El Paso Hispanic Chamber of Commerce & the Women’s Business Border Center will be processing the NEW- Women-Owned Small Business Federal Contract Program-Third Party Certification!
On June 30, 2011, The U.S. Small Business Administration announced that The El Paso Hispanic Chamber of Commerce has been one of the four approved organizations that can certify for the Women Owned Small Business Program.
The Women’s Business Border Center (joint project between the U.S. Small Business Administration and the El Paso Hispanic Chamber of Commerce) will be processing the applications for the Third Party Certification for the new women’s contracting program.
The processing of the application will be $225.00.
The certification is valid for two years but the El Paso Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the Women’s Business Border Center will notify you in advance of the documentation needed to recertify.
Women Owned Small Businesses may elect to use the services of a Third Party Certifier to demonstrate eligibility for the program, or they may self-certify using the process outlined here on this website.
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible, a firm must be at least 51% owned and controlled by one or more women, and primarily managed by one or more women. The women must be U.S. citizens. The firm must be “small” in its primary industry in accordance with SBA’s size standards for that industry. In order for a WOSB to be deemed “economically disadvantaged,” its owners must demonstrate economic disadvantage in accordance with the requirements set forth in the final rule.
Disclosure: SBA will only accept third party certification from these entities, and firms are still subject to the same eligibility requirements to participate in the program.
Getting Started
For a quick overview of the WOSB Program and what businesses need to do to participate, click here to view a short presentation. For detailed information about the WOSB Program, see the “WOSB Program Information” section.
WOSB Program Information
WOSB Program Fact Sheet
WOSB Program Frequently Asked Questions or FAQs
WOSB Program Applicable NAICS Codes
Compliance Guide for the WOSB Program
5 Steps to participate in the WOSB program:
- Read the WOSB Federal Contract program regulations in the Federal Register and the WOSB Compliance Guide.
- Register in Central Contractor Registration (CCR) as WOSB or EDWOSB.*
- Log onto SBA’s General Login System (GLS). *Obtain an account now if you don’t already have one
- Go to the WOSB program repository (through GLS) and upload / categorize all required documents.
- Represent your status in Online Representations and Certifications Application (ORCA).
WOSB Program Repository
To access the WOSB Program Repository, users must first login to SBA’s General Login System (GLS). If you do not have an account:
- Log onto SBA’s General Login System (GLS)
- Click on “Instructions for GLS” for information on how to request an account
- Go to “Request SBA User ID” to create an account
Once you are in GLS, click the “Access” button at the top of the screen. Then select “Women-Owned Small Business Program Repository” and press submit. You should then be able to access the repository. Once you are in the repository, you can click the “Help” button at the top of the screen for instructions on how to use the repository.
**A complete list of required documents to upload to the Repository can be found in the Compliance Guide for the WOSB Program.
All eligible WOSBs and EDWOSBs who would like to participate in this program must complete and sign the WOSB or EDWOSB certification form below and upload it into the repository.
WOSB OMB Approved Form 3245-0374
EDWOSB OMB Approved Form 3245-0374
FORMAL ANNOUNCEMENT:
Latest News Release: February 1, 2011 – SBA Expands Access to Federal Contracting Opportunities for Women-Owned Small Businesses
Memo from the U.S. Small Business Administration Administrator
Karen G. Mills
On October 7, 2010, the U.S. Small Business Administration published a final rule effective February 4, 2011, aimed at expanding federal contracting opportunities for women-owned small businesses (WOSBs). The Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) Federal Contract program authorizes contracting officers to set aside certain federal contracts for eligible:
- Women-owned small businesses (WOSBs) or
- Economically disadvantaged women-owned small businesses (EDWOSBs)
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