Women-Owned + Veteran-Owned: How to Stack WOSB and SDVOSB Certifications to Win $63B in Federal Set-Asides

$63.6 Billion. Two Certifications. One Strategy.

In fiscal year 2024, the federal government awarded:

That is $63.6 billion in combined set-aside spending. And if you are a woman who served in the military - or a veteran whose spouse owns the business - you may qualify for both certifications simultaneously, giving you access to set-aside competitions that most contractors can only dream about.

This is not a loophole. It is how the system is designed. The SBA explicitly allows businesses to hold multiple certifications at the same time. A single company can compete in WOSB set-asides on Monday and SDVOSB set-asides on Tuesday.

Here is how it works, who qualifies, and exactly how to use both programs to win federal contracts.

The Two Programs: Side by Side

Both programs serve the same goal: directing federal dollars to underrepresented business owners by restricting competition to certified firms. But they work through different mechanisms and cover different pools of contracts.

Who Qualifies for Both?

Scenario 1: The Woman Veteran

You served in the US military and received any VA disability rating (even 0%). You now own 51%+ of a small business. You qualify for:

This is the most straightforward path to dual certification.

Scenario 2: The Veteran-Spouse Business

A service-disabled veteran's spouse owns 51%+ of a small business, and the veteran also holds an ownership stake. Depending on how control and management are structured:

Important: The same business cannot claim both certifications simultaneously if a single ownership structure does not satisfy both programs' requirements. You cannot split ownership to game the system - the SBA will examine the actual control structure during certification review.

Scenario 3: The 8(a) Stack

If a woman veteran also qualifies as socially and economically disadvantaged, she can potentially hold three certifications:

The 8(a) program adds another $30+ billion in annual set-aside spending to your addressable market.

Why Dual Certification Is a Competitive Weapon

1. You See More Opportunities

With a single certification, you can only compete in that program's set-asides. With both WOSB and SDVOSB, you see every set-aside from both programs - effectively doubling your pipeline.

In FY2024:

2. Your Win Rates Go Up

Set-aside competitions have dramatically fewer bidders than full-and-open competitions. Industry data shows:

With dual certification, you are competing in smaller pools more often. The math is simple: fewer competitors equals higher win rates.

3. You Access Two Sole-Source Tracks

Sole-source contracts are awarded directly to a single company without competition. Each certification provides its own sole-source authority:

WOSB Sole Source:

SDVOSB Sole Source:

A contracting officer who cannot sole-source to you under one program might be able to under the other. Having both certifications gives them more legal authority to award you the work.

4. You Match More Contract Requirements

Some solicitations specifically require WOSB status. Others require SDVOSB status. With both, you are never locked out of either type. Some agencies also have internal goals for each category, meaning your dual status helps multiple contracting officers meet their individual targets.

The WOSB Program: What You Need to Know

Eligibility Requirements

EDWOSB: The Enhanced Version

The Economically Disadvantaged WOSB (EDWOSB) certification provides access to 107 additional NAICS codes beyond the standard WOSB program. To qualify, each woman owner must meet these thresholds:

Exclusions from net worth calculations: primary residence equity, business ownership equity, and retirement accounts. Most small business owners qualify for EDWOSB when these exclusions are applied.

The WOSB Gap: Why This Matters

Despite the 5% federal goal, the WOSB program has only hit its target twice in 28 years (FY2015 and FY2019). Even more concerning: the average WOSB prime contractor receives only 79% of what the average non-WOSB small business receives per contract. That gap is widening - it was 93% in FY2019.

This means WOSBs are winning contracts, but at lower average values. Dual certification with SDVOSB opens access to the larger-dollar set-asides that the SDVOSB program consistently delivers.

The SDVOSB Program: What You Need to Know

Eligibility Requirements

Critical Change: No More Self-Certification

As of January 2023, all SDVOSBs must be certified through the SBA VetCert program. Self-certification is no longer accepted for:

If you have been operating as a self-certified SDVOSB, you must complete VetCert certification immediately or you will lose access to set-asides.

The 5% Goal Increase

Congress raised the SDVOSB contracting goal from 3% to 5% in the FY2024 National Defense Authorization Act. This was the first increase since the program's creation. At 5% of approximately $700 billion in annual federal contracting, the target is roughly $35 billion per year - making SDVOSB one of the largest set-aside programs in the federal government.

How to Get Certified: Step by Step

Step 1: Determine Your Eligibility

Before applying, verify:

Step 2: Gather Documentation

For WOSB/EDWOSB:

For SDVOSB:

Step 3: Apply Through MySBA Certifications

Both certifications are managed at certify.sba.gov:

Processing times:

You can apply for both certifications simultaneously. There is no requirement to complete one before starting the other.

Step 4: Maintain Your Certifications

Both certifications last 3 years and require:

Finding Set-Aside Contracts

Once certified, you need to find the contracts that match your certifications and capabilities.

Where to Look

SAM.gov lists all federal solicitations, but searching it efficiently requires knowing the right filters. Look for:

Fed-Spend lets you research which agencies award the most WOSB and SDVOSB contracts, which NAICS codes see the most set-aside activity, and which incumbent contractors are winning. This historical data tells you where to focus your business development.

Highest-Value NAICS Codes for Dual-Certified Firms

Based on FY2024 obligation data, the NAICS codes with the highest set-aside spending for WOSB and SDVOSB firms include:

IT services, engineering, facilities management, and construction consistently dominate set-aside spending across both programs.

The Subcontracting Angle

Even if you are not ready to compete for prime contracts, large primes need WOSB and SDVOSB subcontractors to meet their own small business subcontracting plans. Every prime contract over $750,000 (or $1.5M for construction) requires a subcontracting plan with specific goals for WOSB and SDVOSB participation.

Your dual certification makes you valuable to prime contractors who need to check both boxes with a single subcontractor.

Search WOSB set-aside contracts on Fed-Spend | Search SDVOSB contracts on Fed-Spend

Real Women Veterans Winning Federal Contracts

Hillary Boyce - BAFO Services

Hillary Boyce, a US Army veteran, founded BAFO Services in 2022 as a dual-certified Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned and Women-Owned Small Business. In three years, she has helped over 130 federal contracting clients secure major awards, including a $34 million US Army Reserve Command contract and a $4 million Army Human Resources Command contract.

Named 2025 Virginia Small Business Veteran of the Year, Boyce hosted the 2025 Navy Small Business Expo in Hampton Roads with over 500 vendors and federal buyers. Her company was recognized by the Global Trade Chamber among the "100 Successful Women in Business."

Eronica Dew - BES Solutions Inc.

Eronica Dew, an Air Force veteran, managed a $26 million contract at Walter Reed Army Medical Center before founding BES Solutions in 2018. Her company provides program management, IT, HR logistics, and related services to the federal government - all NAICS codes that are eligible for both WOSB and SDVOSB set-asides.

What They Have in Common

Both leveraged their dual veteran-and-woman-owned status to access more opportunities than either certification alone would provide. Both started in service-heavy NAICS codes (IT, management, consulting) where set-aside activity is highest. And both grew rapidly by using their certifications strategically rather than competing in full-and-open competitions.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Not Getting EDWOSB When You Qualify

Many women apply only for standard WOSB certification, not realizing they also qualify for EDWOSB. The economic disadvantage thresholds exclude your primary residence, business equity, and retirement accounts from the net worth calculation. Run the numbers - most small business owners under $850K in adjusted net worth qualify.

EDWOSB opens 107 additional NAICS codes that standard WOSB cannot access.

2. Letting Self-Certification Lapse

As of 2026, self-certification is dead for both WOSB and SDVOSB. If you have been operating on a self-certified basis, you are no longer eligible for set-asides. You must complete formal SBA certification through certify.sba.gov immediately.

3. Not Updating SAM.gov with Certifications

After receiving your SBA certifications, verify that your SAM.gov profile reflects both WOSB and SDVOSB status. Contracting officers search SAM.gov to find eligible firms - if your certifications are not visible, you are invisible.

4. Only Competing in Set-Asides

Set-asides should be the foundation of your pipeline, not the entirety. The most successful dual-certified firms compete in set-asides for reliable base revenue and bid on full-and-open competitions for growth. Your certifications also give you evaluation credit and price preference in some full-and-open competitions.

5. Ignoring Sole-Source Opportunities

Sole-source contracts require proactive business development. You need to identify the contracting officers, introduce your capabilities, and make the case that your firm can meet the requirement. Contracting officers will not come to you - but many prefer sole-source awards because they are faster and simpler than competitive procurements.

Use Fed-Spend to research which agencies and offices have historically awarded sole-source contracts to WOSB and SDVOSB firms.

The Timeline: From Zero to Dual-Certified

Total time from start to dual-certified: approximately 3-4 months. Both certifications are free. There is no reason to wait.

The Math: Why Dual Certification Changes Everything

A single-certified WOSB competes in one set-aside pool.

A single-certified SDVOSB competes in one set-aside pool.

A dual-certified firm competes in both pools plus full-and-open competitions.

The certification is free. The processing takes weeks, not months. And the addressable market grows by billions of dollars.

Research which set-aside contracts match your capabilities - search by NAICS code, agency, and set-aside type to build your pipeline. Start your free Fed-Spend account

FAQ: WOSB and SDVOSB Dual Certification

Can one business hold both WOSB and SDVOSB certification?

Yes. The SBA explicitly allows businesses to hold multiple certifications simultaneously. A business owned by a service-disabled woman veteran can qualify for both WOSB (or EDWOSB) and SDVOSB, accessing set-aside competitions from both programs. The business must meet the eligibility requirements of each program independently.

How much does certification cost?

Both WOSB and SDVOSB certifications are completely free through the SBA. Applications are submitted through certify.sba.gov. Do not pay third-party companies for certification - they cannot expedite the SBA process.

What VA disability rating do I need for SDVOSB?

Any service-connected disability rating qualifies, including 0%. The VA must have documented a service-connected disability. The percentage does not matter for SDVOSB eligibility.

What is the difference between WOSB and EDWOSB?

WOSB provides access to set-aside contracts in 626 eligible NAICS codes. EDWOSB (Economically Disadvantaged WOSB) provides access to all 733 eligible codes - an additional 107 industries. EDWOSB requires meeting economic thresholds: personal net worth under $850,000 (excluding home, business equity, and retirement), adjusted gross income under $400,000, and total assets under $6.5 million.

Can my spouse's veteran status qualify my business?

For SDVOSB, the service-disabled veteran must own at least 51% of the business and hold the highest officer position. For WOSB, a woman must own at least 51% and control daily operations. If different family members meet different requirements, the business may not qualify for both unless the ownership and control structures independently satisfy each program.

How long does dual certification take?

SDVOSB certification through VetCert takes approximately 12 days. WOSB/EDWOSB certification takes 60-90 days. You can apply for both simultaneously. Most businesses can be fully dual-certified within 3-4 months of starting the process.

Do set-asides have contract dollar limits?

Competitive set-asides have no dollar limit - any contract can be set aside if the contracting officer expects at least two qualified firms will bid. Sole-source awards have limits: WOSB sole source is capped at $5.5M for services and $8.5M for manufacturing. SDVOSB sole source is capped at $4M for non-manufacturing and $7M for manufacturing.