Overview
This section prescribes the specific solicitation provisions and contract clauses required to ensure proper identification of business entities and the collection of socioeconomic data regarding women-owned businesses.
Key Rules
- Provision 52.204-5 (Women-Owned Business): Must be included in solicitations that are not set aside for small businesses, exceed the simplified acquisition threshold, and involve work performed within the United States or its outlying areas.
- Provision 52.204-6 (Unique Entity Identifier): Required in solicitations that do not already include the System for Award Management (SAM) provision or when specific reporting exceptions apply under FAR 4.605(c)(2).
- Clause 52.204-12 (Unique Entity Identifier Maintenance): This clause must be inserted into any solicitation or resulting contract that incorporates provision 52.204-6 to ensure the contractor maintains their identifier throughout the contract life cycle.
Practical Implications
- Data Integrity: These rules ensure the government can accurately track contract spend and socioeconomic trends even when a full SAM registration is not required for a specific procurement.
- Compliance Check: Contracting Officers must verify the specific threshold and location criteria before omitting socioeconomic provisions in large-scale, "full and open" competitions.