The Small Business Administration (SBA) has published a proposed rule to set aside contracts for women-owned small businesses in four industries where these businesses are underrepresented in the federal procurement process.

Under the proposed rule, women-owned small businesses in the national security and international affairs; coating, engraving, heat treating and allied activities; household and institutional furniture and kitchen cabinet manufacturing; and certain motor vehicle dealers industries would be eligible for set-aside agency contracts of less than $3 million or $5 million for manufacturing contracts. The industries were selected based on a RAND Corporation study to determine the industries in which women-owned small businesses were underrepresented in federal contracting.

The rule was published in the Federal Register on January 2 and is open to public comment for 60 days.