Answer: Yes and then some.

The first women-owned businesses to be certified under the new 8(m) program will have a head start because of the political pressure to give small business preference to women-owned businesses has been building for years. Billions will be contracted through the new program beginning in 2011. SBA finally issued a Final Rule on October 4, 2010, amending the Women -Owned Small Business Federal Contract Assistance Procedures, and implementing procedures authorized by the SBA, geared towards leveling the playing field for WOSBs.

Pursuant to publication of the Final Rule, the SBA will begin implementing the women-owned small business set-aside program, known as the Women's Contracting Rule ("Program"). This means that federal agencies may set-aside procurements for competition specifically for women-owned small business, provided that the subject procurement meets all criteria set forth under the Women's Contracting Rule.

SBA's expected time-frame for the Program to be operational is early 2011.

There are a limited number of seminars available for this specific topic. Most seminars that are available simply scratch the surface rule. Fedmarket is offering a WOSB seminar that is different. We delve into the specifics of the Final Rule, the implications, and based on our foundation in federal government contracting, we are able to take participants to the next level on how to make the WOSB program work for you.

The final rule document for the new WSOB program is 145 pages and requires hours to decipher. Fedmarket is offering a WOSB workshop to help you navigate the red-tape and exit with a complete and professionally prepared WOSB self- certification package.

Position yourself to benefit from the women-owned small business set-aside ruling:

Women Owned Small Businesses: Win Set-aside Contracts - A half-day seminar offered on November 5, 2010.

WOSB eCertify Workshop - A workshop to complete the required documents in 1-day.

WOSB eCertify Wizard - Software to guide you through the process of completing your WOSB self-certification package on your own.

Call Fedmarket's sales staff at 301 652 9504 and press 2 if you have questions concerning these or any other products or services Fedmarket offers.