Generation of electric power from hydroelectric sources for federal and public utility systems. Find active federal and state hydroelectric power generation contracts — AI-scored against your profile across SAM.gov and 200+ portals.
Federal annual spend on hydroelectric power generation (NAICS 221111) is estimated at $1-2 billion, primarily through the Bureau of Reclamation, Army Corps of Engineers, and TVA. Contracts are predominantly fixed-price, often structured as single-award IDIQs for operations, maintenance, and upgrades of existing facilities. Demand is driven by aging infrastructure, dam safety compliance, and renewable energy mandates. Competition is moderate, with a mix of large utilities and specialized small businesses. Set-asides are rare; most work is full-and-open due to scale, but subcontracting opportunities exist.
These agencies are the largest buyers of hydroelectric power generation services and products in the federal government. Each awards contracts under NAICS 221111 regularly — build relationships with their small business offices first.
To win hydroelectric contracts, focus on past performance in O&M of large turbines and generators, and obtain a Corps of Engineers hydroelectric plant operator certification. The buying pattern favors best-value tradeoffs over LPTA. The highest-leverage move for a small business is to team as a subcontractor on a Bureau of Reclamation IDIQ, then pursue prime contracts for smaller plants (<10 MW) where set-asides (e.g., 8(a)) are occasionally applied. Register in SAM, but also get listed on the Corps' Hydroelectric Design Center's qualified vendors list.
Hydroelectric work is typically procured via agency-specific IDIQs (e.g., Bureau of Reclamation's Power Operations IDIQ) or GSA Schedule 871 (Professional Engineering Services). Evaluations use best-value tradeoff, emphasizing past performance on similar turbine/generator work. LPTA is rare; technical factors like safety record and environmental compliance are critical. Small businesses can leverage 8(a) STARS III for IT-related controls work.
No single federal license is required, but contractors must comply with FERC regulations for dam safety and environmental permits. Key certifications include NERC reliability standards for grid interconnection and OSHA 30 for construction. For operations, a Corps of Engineers hydroelectric plant operator certification is highly valued.
Yes, for contracts over $150,000, Miller Act bonds (bid, performance, and payment) are required. For larger projects, bonds can be 100% of contract value. Small businesses can use the SBA Surety Bond Guarantee Program to obtain bonds up to $10 million.
Awards vary widely: small O&M contracts may be $500K-$2M annually, while major turbine upgrades can exceed $50M. The median federal IDIQ ceiling is around $20M. Most contracts are firm-fixed-price with performance-based payments.
Moderately competitive. For large projects, you compete against major players like GE, Siemens, and large engineering firms. For smaller plants (<10 MW), competition is thinner, and small businesses with niche expertise in fish passage or sediment management can win.
Set-asides are rare due to the scale of work. However, 8(a) and HUBZone set-asides occasionally appear for small-scale rehabilitation projects (<$5M). Subcontracting to large primes on 8(a) STARS III or GSA Schedule 871 is a more common entry point.