Scheduled air freight transportation for government cargo and military logistics. Find active federal and state scheduled freight air transportation contracts — AI-scored against your profile across SAM.gov and 200+ portals.
The U.S. federal government spends approximately $1.5–2 billion annually on scheduled freight air transportation under NAICS 481112, driven primarily by the Department of Defense (DoD) for cargo logistics, the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) for supply chain support, FEMA for disaster relief, and USPS for expedited mail. Contracts are typically structured as indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) or blanket purchase agreements (BPAs) with firm-fixed-price or cost-reimbursable pricing. Demand spikes during military operations, natural disasters, and peak mail periods. Competition is intense among a handful of large carriers (e.g., FedEx, UPS) and specialized air freight operators, but small businesses can carve niches in regional routes or surge capacity. The market is moderately concentrated, with the top 5 firms accounting for ~60% of federal spend.
These agencies are the largest buyers of scheduled freight air transportation services and products in the federal government. Each awards contracts under NAICS 481112 regularly — build relationships with their small business offices first.
To win scheduled freight air transportation contracts, focus on obtaining a GSA Schedule 48 (Transportation, Freight) or a DLA BPA for domestic and international airlift. The most common set-asides are 8(a) and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) for DoD and DLA opportunities. Your single highest-leverage move is to secure a FEMA pre-positioned contract or a USPS air transportation BPA, as these offer recurring, high-volume work. Build a track record of on-time delivery and surge capacity, and emphasize your safety record and FAA compliance.
Scheduled freight air transportation is primarily procured via GSA Schedule 48 (Transportation, Freight), DLA's Global Air Cargo IDIQ, FEMA's Air Cargo BPA, and USPS's Express Mail and Priority Mail contracts. Evaluation is typically best-value tradeoff, with factors like past performance, delivery speed, and surge capacity. LPTA is used for simpler, routine routes. Set-asides include 8(a), SDVOSB, and HUBZone.
You must hold a Part 121 or Part 135 air carrier certificate from the FAA, depending on aircraft size and payload. Part 121 is required for scheduled operations with aircraft over 30 seats or 7,500 lbs payload; Part 135 covers smaller aircraft. Additionally, a Department of Transportation (DOT) operating authority is needed for interstate transportation.
Yes, for contracts exceeding $150,000, the Miller Act typically requires a performance bond and payment bond. However, many IDIQ orders under $150,000 may not require bonding. Check individual solicitations, as some agencies may waive bonding for small businesses or for specific task orders.
8(a) set-asides for scheduled freight air transportation are moderately competitive. The number of 8(a) firms with air carrier capabilities is limited, so competition is lower than open-market. However, you must demonstrate capacity to handle large cargo volumes and meet strict delivery timelines. DLA and FEMA are the most active 8(a) buyers.
Award sizes vary widely. Small task orders under BPAs can range from $10,000 to $500,000, while IDIQ contracts can have ceilings of $50 million to $500 million over 5 years. For example, DLA's Global Air Cargo contract has a $1.5 billion ceiling. Most small business awards fall between $500,000 and $5 million annually.
Yes, subcontracting is common, especially for large prime carriers like FedEx or UPS. Small businesses can provide regional route coverage, surge capacity, or specialized cargo handling. To be competitive, register in SAM and obtain a GSA Schedule or DLA BPA. Also, consider teaming arrangements with primes via SBA's Mentor-Protégé program.