[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 9 (Thursday, January 14, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 2960-2961]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-00476]


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SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

13 CFR Part 127

RIN 3245-AG75


Women-Owned Small Business and Economically Disadvantaged Women-
Owned Small Business Certification; Correction

AGENCY: U.S. Small Business Administration.

ACTION: Correcting amendment.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA or Agency) is 
correcting regulations that published in the Federal Register on May 
11, 2020. The final rule amended SBA's regulations to implement a 
statutory requirement to certify Women-Owned Small Business Concerns 
(WOSBs) and Economically-Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business 
Concerns (EDWOSBs), as well as to clarify existing regulations. This 
document makes corrections to the final regulations.

DATES: Effective January 14, 2021.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brenda Fernandez, Office of Policy, 
Planning and Liaison, 409 Third Street SW, Washington, DC 20416; (202) 
205-7337; [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a correction to a final rule 
published in the Federal Register on May 11, 2020 (85 FR 27650). SBA is 
correcting dates that were inadvertently transposed in one of the 
examples to 13 CFR 127.400. Additionally, SBA is correcting the 
language in two of the examples to 13 CFR 127.400 to ensure the 
examples accurately illustrate the application of the new regulatory 
provisions.

List of Subjects in 13 CFR Part 127

    Government contracts, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, 
Small businesses.

    Accordingly, 13 CFR part 127 is corrected by making the following 
correcting amendments:

PART 127--WOMEN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESS FEDERAL CONTRACT PROGRAM

0
1. The authority citation for part 127 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  15 U.S.C. 632, 634(b)(6), 637(m), 644 and 657r.


0
2. Amend Sec.  127.400 by revising paragraph (b)(1) to read as follows:


Sec.  127.400  How does a concern maintain its WOSB or EDWOSB 
certification?

* * * * *
    (b) * * *
    (1) SBA or a third-party certifier will conduct a program 
examination three years after the concern's initial WOSB or EDWOSB 
certification (whether by SBA or a third-party certifier) or three 
years after the date of the concern's last program examination, 
whichever date is later.
    Example 1 to paragraph (b)(1). Concern A is certified by SBA to be 
eligible for the WOSB program on July 20, 2021. Concern A will be 
considered a certified WOSB that is eligible to receive WOSB contracts 
(as long as it is small for the size standard corresponding to the 
NAICS code assigned to the contract) through July 19, 2022. To 
participate in the WOSB Program the following year, Concern A must 
recertify its eligibility to SBA between June 20, 2022, and July 19, 
2022. Concern A will be considered a certified WOSB that is eligible to 
receive WOSB contracts (as long as it is small for the size standard 
corresponding to the NAICS code assigned to the contract) through July 
19, 2023. To participate in the WOSB Program the following year, 
Concern A must recertify its eligibility to SBA between June 20, 2023, 
and July 19, 2023. Concern A will be considered a certified WOSB that 
is eligible to receive WOSB contracts (as long as it is small for the 
size standard corresponding to the NAICS code assigned to the contract) 
through July 19, 2024. To participate in the WOSB Program the following 
year, Concern A must recertify its eligibility to SBA between June 20, 
2024, and July 19, 2024. Because three years will have elapsed since 
its application and original certification, SBA will conduct a program 
examination of Concern A at that time. In addition to its 
representation that it continues to be an eligible WOSB, Concern A must 
provide additional information as requested by SBA to demonstrate that 
it continues to meet all the eligibility requirements of the WOSB 
Program.
    Example 2 to paragraph (b)(1). Concern B is certified by a third-
party certifier to be eligible for the WOSB program on September 27, 
2021. Concern B will be considered a certified WOSB that is eligible to 
receive WOSB contracts (as long as it is small for the size standard 
corresponding to the NAICS code assigned to the contract) through 
September 26, 2022. To participate in the WOSB Program the following 
year, Concern B must recertify its eligibility to SBA between August 
28, 2022, and September 26, 2022. Concern B will be considered a 
certified WOSB that is eligible to receive WOSB contracts (as long as 
it is small for the

[[Page 2961]]

size standard corresponding to the NAICS code assigned to the contract) 
through September 26, 2023. On March 31, 2023, Concern B is awarded a 
WOSB set-aside contract. Subsequently, Concern B's status as an 
eligible WOSB is protested. On June 28, 2023, Concern B receives a 
positive determination from SBA confirming that it is an eligible WOSB. 
Concern B's new certification date is June 28, 2023. Concern B will be 
considered a certified WOSB that is eligible to receive WOSB contracts 
(as long as it is small for the size standard corresponding to the 
NAICS code assigned to the contract) through June 27, 2024. To 
participate in the WOSB Program the following year, Concern B must 
recertify its eligibility to SBA between May 29, 2024, and June 27, 
2024. Concern B will be considered a certified WOSB that is eligible to 
receive WOSB contracts (as long as it is small for the size standard 
corresponding to the NAICS code assigned to the contract) through June 
27, 2025. To participate in the WOSB Program the following year, 
Concern B must recertify its eligibility to SBA between May 29, 2025, 
and June 27, 2025. Concern B will be considered a certified WOSB that 
is eligible to receive WOSB contracts (as long as it is small for the 
size standard corresponding to the NAICS code assigned to the contract) 
until June 27, 2026. To participate in the WOSB Program the following 
year, Concern B must recertify its eligibility to SBA between May 29, 
2026, and June 27, 2026. Because three years will have elapsed since 
its certification date of June 28, 2023, Concern B must seek a program 
examination, by SBA or a third-party certifier, at that time. In 
addition to its representation that it continues to be an eligible 
WOSB, Concern B must provide additional information as requested by SBA 
or a third-party certifier to demonstrate that it continues to meet all 
the eligibility requirements of the WOSB Program.
* * * * *

    Dated: January 7, 2021.
Francis C. Spampinato,
Associate Administrator, Government Contracting and Business 
Development.
[FR Doc. 2021-00476 Filed 1-13-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8026-03-P