What is "Self-Certification" for the WOSB Program?

Self-certification for the WOSB Federal Contract Program means the WOSB and/or EDWOSB firm has not used a Third Party Certifier,  has completed all requirements required by SBA at certify.SBA.gov and uploaded all the required documents for the WOSB program for their business type.  The firm must be registered in SAM.gov (www.sam.gov) and has answered the appropriate SAM questions found in the Representations and Certifications section, FAR 52.212-3, and Small Business Program Representations section, FAR 52.219-1.  When all of these conditions have been met, then the WOSB/EDWOSB can affirm to the Contracting Officer they are self-certified for the respective category in which they are competing. 

SBA neither certifies nor approves businesses into the WOSB Program. As such, SBA does not issue a certification letter for self-certified WOSB or EDWOSB. SBA certification means that SBA has reviewed the eligibility documents and determined that a business meets the eligibility requirements for a Program. SBA does that with the 8(a) Business Development and the HUBZone Program but not with the WOSB Program. 

Please note that businesses SELF-CERTIFY and submit the eligibility documents to the WOSB Program Repository establishing their eligibility. If a business has provided the eligibility documents to the WOSB Program Repository and updated its SAM reps and certs as WOSB, it is all set to compete for contract awards. Federal contracting agencies would not and should not ask for proof of WOSB certification.