WOSB certification in Massachusetts

To get WOSB certified in Massachusetts, register in SAM.gov, confirm you meet SBA's rules for small businesses at least 51% owned and controlled by women who are U.S. citizens, and apply free on MySBA Certifications. Massachusetts APEX Accelerator (MSBDC, UMass Amherst) helps Massachusetts businesses apply at no cost.

1. 01

   Register in SAM.gov

   Every certification and federal award needs an active SAM.gov registration and Unique Entity ID. Registration is free and must be renewed every 365 days.^[1]

2. 02

   Check WOSB eligibility

   The business must be small and at least 51% owned and controlled by women who are U.S. citizens; women must manage day-to-day operations and make long-term decisions.^[3]

3. 03

   Get free help in Massachusetts

   Massachusetts APEX Accelerator (MSBDC, UMass Amherst): free counseling on SAM.gov, certification and bidding.^[9]

4. 04

   Apply on MySBA Certifications

   SBA's application at certifications.sba.gov is free; approved third-party certifiers charge a fee.^[2]

5. 05

   Register with Massachusetts too

   WOSB covers federal contracts. To sell to Massachusetts agencies, register on COMMBUYS supplier registration (free).

6. 06

   Add the Massachusetts certification

   MBE, WBE, VBE and other diversity certifications, through Supplier Diversity Office.^[10]

APEX Accelerators, funded by the Department of Defense, help with registration, certification and bids. SBA district offices run certification outreach and answer program questions.

APEX Accelerators

• Massachusetts APEX Accelerator (MSBDC, UMass Amherst)

SBA district office

• SBA Massachusetts District Office

Massachusetts certifies its own programs separately from SBA, for Massachusetts state contracts. WOSB does not carry over automatically; apply to this one on its own terms:

• MBE, WBE, VBE and other diversity certifications, Supplier Diversity Office. Free; Massachusetts-based firms first attend a pre-certification workshop.^[10]

854 open bids in Massachusetts right now; 0 name WOSB in the title.

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• WOSB and EDWOSB set-asides are allowed only in NAICS codes SBA lists as underrepresented for women-owned firms.^[3]
• Sole-source awards are allowed up to $8.5 million for manufacturing and $5.5 million for other work when two or more offers are not expected.^[5]
• The government-wide goal is 5% of prime contract dollars to women-owned small businesses.^[3]

1. sam.gov/entity-registration
2. certifications.sba.gov/
3. sba.gov/federal-contracting/contracting-assistance-programs/women-owned-small-business-federal-contract-program
4. federalregister.gov/documents/2020/05/11/2020-09022/
5. acquisition.gov/far/19.1506
6. acquisition.gov/far/2.101
7. uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title15-section644&num=0&edition=prelim
8. sba.gov/district/massachusetts
9. massapex.org/
10. mass.gov/sdo