PrimeRFP SCOUT · Federal Set-Aside Program
Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB)
Federal contracts reserved for women-owned small businesses — the fastest-growing small business category with increasing agency participation goals.
$3.0B
TTM Obligated
0.13%
% of Federal (TTM)
1,047
Awards ≥$100K
DoD
Top Agency
What is Women-Owned Small Business?
Federal contracts reserved for women-owned small businesses — the fastest-growing small business category with increasing agency participation goals.
Certification Process
Prove 51%+ ownership and control by a U.S. woman, register in SAM.gov, obtain DUNS number, provide IRS tax documentation, and apply for certification through an approved Third-Party Certifier (online, typically 30–60 days). Must be small by NAICS size standard.
Business Development Strategy
WOSB reached a record $31.7B in FY2024 — continuing multi-year growth with expanding agency programs. Entry barrier is lower than 8(a) (no economic disadvantage requirement). Strong subcontracting demand from large primes seeking WOSB partnerships.
Top Agencies Buying Women-Owned Small Business
| Rank | Agency | SCOUT TTM |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | Department of Defense | $1.5B |
| #2 | Department of Health and Human Services | $351M |
| #3 | Department of Homeland Security | $329M |
| #4 | Department of Commerce | $199M |
Designated WOSB set-aside obligations · Jul 2025 – Jun 2026
Market Opportunity
Current designated market (SCOUT TTM)
$3.0B
0.13% of federal TTM · 1,047 awards ≥$100K
Momentum inside the window
CY2025 $1.2B → CY2026 (partial) $1.8B
Calendar buckets from the same TTM extract — not full fiscal years
Official annual picture (SBA)
$31.7B · ~5% CAGR ↑↑
FY2024 Procurement Scorecard
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it take to be certified as a WOSB?
You must be a U.S. woman (citizen/permanent resident) with 51%+ ownership and control of a small business, meet NAICS size standards, and apply through an approved Third-Party Certifier. No economic disadvantage requirement. Certification takes 30–60 days and is good for 3 years.
Why is WOSB growing so fast?
WOSB is the fastest-growing set-aside due to increasing agency participation goals, congressional support for women entrepreneurs, and lower barriers to entry compared to 8(a). Teaming demand from primes is also strong.
What federal agencies have WOSB contracting programs I should target?
HHS is the top WOSB buyer ($6B), followed by DoD ($5.5B), GSA ($3.2B), VA ($2.8B), and DHS ($2.1B). Each agency has evolving WOSB goals and contracting vehicles — PrimeRFP SCOUT tracks all WOSB-specific RFPs and task order opportunities.
SCOUT figures mark designated WOSB set-aside obligations from USASpending (≥ $100,000 · obligations_only) for Jul 2025 – Jun 2026. Share of federal uses the same TTM denominator ($2.29T). Distinct from the SBA scorecard annual context above.
Ready to compete as a Women-Owned Small Business firm?
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