We hope to bring to light a significant change in how Women Owned Small Businesses (WOSBs) would have to register in order to be considered for sole source or EDWOSBs or WOSBs set aside contracting with the federal government.

We encourage you to read and specifically raise the issue that the language in the FY2015 NDAA re certification of WOSB’s is discriminatory to women as it now requires women to pay a fee to a third-party certifier when other small business set aside categories (e.g., SDVOSB, 8(a), HUBZone) do not require the applicant to pay a certification fee.  The aforementioned language change in the current NDAA arose through the lobbying efforts of one or more such third-party certifiers, we have been told.  While this may be hearsay, it is troubling nonetheless.

The good thing is that the SBA is seeking comment on a proposed rule change affecting the WOSB program.  Comments must be received on or before June 30, 2015.  We encourage each and every WOSB and WOSB supporters to voice their concerns regarding the discriminatory language in the FY2015 NDAA re fee-based certification of WOSB’s, and to offer appropriate language removing the discriminatory bar to women and the WOSB program.

The SBA proposed rule change can be found in the Federal Register Volume 80, Number 84 (Friday, May 1, 2015), Pages 24846-24850, FR Doc No: 2015-10331 http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2015-05-01/html/2015-10331.htm

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by RIN: 3245-AG72, or by docket number SBA-2015-0004, by any of the following methods:

(1) Federal Rulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for submitting comments; or

(2) Mail/Hand Delivery/ Courier: Brenda Fernandez, U.S. Small Business Administration, Office of Policy, Planning & Liaison, 409 Third Street SW., 8th Floor, Washington, DC 20416

SBA will not accept comments to this proposed rule submitted by email

Highlight the information that you consider to be CBI and explain why you believe SBA should hold this information as confidential. SBA will review the information and make the final determination on whether it will publish the information

SBA will post all comments on www.regulations.gov.

Please contact us if you have any questions.

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