Installing plumbing, heating, and air-conditioning equipment in buildings. Find active federal and state plumbing, heating, and air-conditioning contractors contracts — AI-scored against your profile across SAM.gov and 200+ portals.
Annual federal spend under NAICS 238220 is estimated at $2-3 billion, driven by facility maintenance, new construction, and energy retrofits. Competition is moderate, with a mix of small and large contractors. Contracts are typically awarded as single-award IDIQs or BPAs for recurring service work, and firm-fixed-price for one-off projects. Demand is fueled by aging infrastructure, energy efficiency mandates, and base realignment. GSA's PBS, VA, and DoD are top buyers, often bundling work regionally.
These agencies are the largest buyers of plumbing, heating, and air-conditioning contractors services and products in the federal government. Each awards contracts under NAICS 238220 regularly — build relationships with their small business offices first.
Focus on past performance in federal facilities with similar HVAC/plumbing scope. Most contracts are set aside for small businesses (8(a), SDVOSB, HUBZone). The highest-leverage move is to get on GSA Schedule 03FAC (Facilities Maintenance and Management) or 334512 (HVAC) to enable quick task order awards. Also pursue agency-specific IDIQs (e.g., USACE MATOC, VA SAVES). Emphasize energy efficiency and LEED experience in proposals.
Plumbing/HVAC work is commonly procured via GSA Schedule 03FAC (Facilities Maintenance) or 334512 (HVAC), and agency IDIQs like USACE MATOC, NAVFAC MAC, VA SAVES, and 8(a) STARS III for small businesses. Evaluation is typically LPTA for routine service, best-value for complex projects. Past performance and price are key factors.
Yes, most federal contracts require contractors to hold applicable state and local licenses for plumbing and HVAC work. Some agencies also require EPA Section 608 certification for refrigerant handling. Check each solicitation's licensing requirements.
For contracts over $150,000, Miller Act bonds are required: bid bond (20% of bid), performance bond (100% of contract), and payment bond (100% of contract). For IDIQs, agencies may require a single bond covering the total contract ceiling.
Yes, many contracts are set aside for 8(a), SDVOSB, VOSB, HUBZone, or WOSB firms. The VA and GSA frequently use SDVOSB set-asides for facility maintenance. Check the solicitation for the specific set-aside.
Competition varies by dollar value and region. Small contracts (<$250K) often receive 5-10 bids; large IDIQs can attract 20+ offers. Key differentiators are past performance, safety record, and price. Joint ventures can help small firms compete for larger projects.
Task orders under IDIQs range from $25,000 to $5 million, with an average around $500,000. Standalone projects can be up to $20 million for major renovations. Most work is firm-fixed-price, but some service contracts are time-and-materials.