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CLIENT ALERT: EDWOSB DATA CALL WITH DEADLINE

EDWOSBs PAY ATTENTION! Check your email for a data call. SBA is reviewing EDWOSB Program participants for eligibility. Please note you must reply by the 20 day deadline by filling out a survey and uploading copies of your personal and business tax returns for the last three years by replying to the message SBA sent in MySBA Certifications. Here’s a copy of a recent notice that some of our clients received:

Dear EDWOSB Participant,

Pursuant to 13 C.F.R. § 127.400, SBA is conducting a program examination to verify that your firm continues to meet the requirements of the Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business (EDWOSB) program. Specifically, SBA will be verifying that your firm continues to meet the requirement that the woman or women that own at least 51% of the firm are economically disadvantaged, as set forth in 13 CFR 127.203. In order for SBA to conduct this review, you will need to provide personal financial information and copies of your personal and business tax returns for the last three years.

What is a Program Examination?
A program examination is an investigation by SBA officials or authorized third-party certifiers that verifies the accuracy of any certification of a concern issued in connection with the concern’s WOSB or EDWOSB status, as set forth in 13 CFR 127.402.

How do I respond?
You must submit your response within 20 calendar days of receipt of this notice, July 1, 2026.
To respond, complete these two steps:
1. Respond to the economic disadvantage questionnaire available at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ProgramExamination.

2. Securely transfer copies of your personal and business tax returns for the last three years by replying to the message SBA sent you today in MySBA Certifications. For instructions on locating the message, see How do I Check Messages in MySBA Certifications?

3. Please ensure that all personal and business tax documents you transfer are not password protected.

4. Please include a brief text description of the documents you have included in your response message in MySBA Certifications.

Alternatively, you may choose to voluntarily withdraw from the EDWOSB program. Refer to this user guide: User Guide: Voluntary Certification Withdrawal.

New to MySBA Certifications?
Before you’re able to respond to the Program Examination RFI, you’ll need to create an account, claim your business and complete your ownership and control application in MySBA Certifications. For step-by-step instructions, refer to these user guides: MySBA Certifications Knowledge Base.

What Are the Possible Outcomes of a Program Examination?
There are two possible outcomes of a program examination:
1. If SBA determines that the firm continues to meet program eligibility requirements, SBA will provide a written notice of continued certification in your firm’s record within MySBA Certifications, and the firm will maintain its certified EDWOSB status in SBS.

2. If you fail to submit your program examination response within the required timeframe or SBA determines the firm no longer meets program eligibility requirements, SBA will notify you that your firm has been proposed for decertification from the EDWOSB program in accordance with 13 CFR 127.405. This notice will state the reasons why SBA has proposed decertification, and that the firm must respond to each of the reasons set forth. The firm must respond in writing to a proposed decertification within 20 calendar days from the date of the proposed decertification. SBA may draw an adverse inference from the failure of a firm to cooperate with a program examination or provide requested information.

Support
• For any technical support questions in using the MySBA Certifications system, contact Small Business Certifications Service Desk.
• For any program examination questions, contact the Office of Government Contracting & Business Development Help Desk at certifications@sba.gov or 866-SBA-HELP (866-722-4357) mailto:certifications@sba.gov

Sincerely,

Compliance Division
Office of Government Contracting and Business Development
U.S. Small Business Administration

Crater APEX Accelerator Changes

The Virginia APEX Accelerator will begin covering an additional 26 counties/jurisdictions of Virginia starting April 1, 2025 so be on the lookout for updated coverage areas on our website locations page as we implement these changes. These counties were formerly covered by the Crater APEX Accelerator, which is closing its doors on March 31, 2025. The Crater team will become part of our team and we are excited to have them on board. Existing clients of Virginia APEX Accelerator should see no impact to services and new registrants in the affected area should follow the below links for registration. All active clients at Crater affected by this change will continue to be served and will receive further guidance from their counselors along with updated counselor contact information.

Counties now covered by SWCC APEX Accelerator: Henry County and Martinsville City

Counties now covered by Virginia APEX Accelerator: Buckingham, Cumberland, Amelia, Prince Edward, Charlotte, Halifax, Pittsylvania, Danville, Franklin, Nottoway, Lunenburg, Mecklenburg, Chesterfield, Powhatan, Goochland, Hopewell, Colonial Heights, Prince George, Petersburg, Dinwiddie, Brunswick, Charles City, Surry, Sussex, Emporia and Greensville.