WOSB Certification Expansion and Opportunity Act
WOSB Certification Expansion and Opportunity Act
Plain Language Summary
# WOSB Certification Expansion and Opportunity Act Summary **What the bill would do:** This bill aims to standardize how the federal government tracks its contracting with women-owned small businesses (WOSBs). Currently, it would require that only businesses officially certified by the SBA, state governments, or approved national certifying organizations count toward federal agencies' contracting goals for women-owned businesses. The bill also creates a temporary "deemed certified" status for women-owned businesses that have applied for certification but haven't yet received approval—allowing them to count toward these goals while their application is being reviewed. **Who it affects:** Women-owned small business owners seeking federal contracts would be the primary beneficiaries, along with federal agencies trying to meet their contracting diversity goals.
The bill could make it easier for women entrepreneurs to participate in federal contracting by allowing them to work on government projects during their certification process rather than waiting for final approval. **Current status:** The bill was introduced in the 119th Congress by Rep. Nydia Velázquez (D-NY) and is currently in committee, meaning it has not yet been debated or voted on by the full House.
CRS Official Summary
WOSB Certification Expansion and Opportunity ActThis bill requires that only women-owned small businesses that have been certified by a federal agency, state government, or national certifying entity approved by the Small Business Administration (SBA) are included when calculating whether a federal agency has met its contracting goals with respect to such businesses during a fiscal year.Certain self-certified, women-owned small businesses that have filed an application for certification are deemed to have been certified until the SBA or national certifying entity makes a determination with respect to the certification of such business.The SBA must provide a briefing each quarter about specified aspects of the process of certifying women-owned small businesses and implementing the requirements of the bill.
Latest Action
Referred to the House Committee on Small Business.