Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.
The WOSB Accountability Act amends the Small Business Act to require that only women-owned small businesses certified by the SBA or an SBA-approved national certifying entity count toward federal and agency WOSB procurement goals.
It temporarily treats certain self-certified firms that have timely pending certification applications as certified for goal-calculation purposes until a determination is made.
The bill directs the SBA to issue implementing regulations within one year, requires quarterly briefings to Congressional small business committees until the new rule takes effect, sets the effective date as after two fiscal years following the SBA’s rule issuance, and authorizes no additional funds.
Technically focused and low cost improves prospects, but stakeholder pushback and Senate process uncertainty leave outcome uncertain.
How solid the drafting looks.
Liberals emphasize access risks and burdens on underserved women owners
Liberals emphasize access risks and burdens on underserved women owners
Likely supportive of accountability but concerned this raises barriers for women entrepreneurs, especially underserved owners.
Worries the exclusion of self-certified firms could shrink the pool used to meet contracting goals and slow access to opportunities.
Generally favorable to reforms that strengthen program integrity if implemented sensibly.
Wants clear timelines, cost estimates, and minimal disruption to agencies meeting WOSB goals.
Likely supportive because it strengthens verification, prevents gaming of set-asides, and enhances program integrity without new spending.
May note regulatory burden but favors stricter certification.
Reached or meaningfully advanced
Reached or meaningfully advanced
Still ahead
Still ahead
Still ahead
Technically focused and low cost improves prospects, but stakeholder pushback and Senate process uncertainty leave outcome uncertain.
The bill has not accumulated any surfaced votes yet.
Liberals emphasize access risks and burdens on underserved women owners
Technically focused and low cost improves prospects, but stakeholder pushback and Senate process uncertainty leave outcome uncertain.
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