Installation of elevators, escalators, and other building equipment in federal facilities. Find active federal and state other building equipment contractors contracts — AI-scored against your profile across SAM.gov and 200+ portals.
Annual federal spend under NAICS 238290 is estimated at $200–$300 million, driven primarily by elevator modernization and escalator maintenance in GSA-owned buildings, VA hospitals, and DoD facilities. Contracts are typically structured as firm-fixed-price IDIQs (e.g., GSA's Elevator Maintenance and Repair BPA) or single-award task orders for specific installations. Demand spikes with building recapitalization cycles and ADA compliance upgrades. Competition is moderate, with about 30–40 active 8(a) and SDVOSB firms; large primes like Otis and KONE dominate major projects but subcontract small-business set-aside work.
These agencies are the largest buyers of other building equipment contractors services and products in the federal government. Each awards contracts under NAICS 238290 regularly — build relationships with their small business offices first.
Winning 238290 contracts requires holding a GSA Schedule 56 (Building and Building Materials) or a GSA Elevator Services BPA. Most opportunities are set aside for 8(a) or SDVOSB firms, so obtaining those certifications is critical. The single highest-leverage move is to register in GSA eBuy and actively bid on elevator maintenance IDIQs for the VA and GSA—these are recurring, lower-competition awards. Also, pursue subcontracting opportunities with large primes on Army Corps projects.
Work is primarily awarded via LPTA for routine maintenance and best-value tradeoff for complex installations. Common vehicles include GSA Schedule 56, GSA Elevator Services BPA, and VA's SDVOSB set-aside IDIQs. Evaluation focuses on past performance on similar elevator work, technical approach for ASME compliance, and price reasonableness.
Yes, most states require a licensed elevator contractor credential (e.g., Certified Elevator Technician) and proof of insurance. Federal contracts also often require ASME A17.1 compliance and OSHA 30-hour construction safety training for onsite personnel.
Typical Miller Act performance and payment bonds are required for contracts over $150,000. For elevator installations, expect bond amounts equal to 100% of the contract value, often $500,000 to $2 million for a single building project.
Yes, but it's harder. Many solicitations are set aside for 8(a), SDVOSB, or WOSB firms. Without those, you compete in full-and-open or HUBZone set-asides. Having a GSA Schedule 56 is almost mandatory for non-set-aside opportunities.
Moderately competitive. The VA issues about 50–70 elevator maintenance RFQs per year, with an average of 3–5 bids per solicitation. Most are set aside for SDVOSBs, and award values range from $100,000 to $1.5 million annually per facility.
Single-building elevator installations typically range from $250,000 to $750,000. Larger modernization projects across multiple buildings can exceed $5 million. The average task order under GSA's Elevator BPA is around $400,000.