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To help provide a level playing field for women business owners, the government limits competition for certain contracts to businesses that participate in the Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) Federal Contract program.  These contracts are for goods and services in specific industries (identified via NAICS code) where WOSBs are underrepresented. Some contracts are restricted further to economically disadvantaged women-owned small businesses (EDWOSBs). SBA maintains a list of eligible industries and their NAICS Codes.   It is important to note that WOSB certification benefits only apply to federal contracting opportunities, rather than those in the private sector.

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