Long-distance general freight trucking across state lines. Find active federal and state general freight trucking, long-distance contracts — AI-scored against your profile across SAM.gov and 200+ portals.
Annual federal spend on long-distance general freight trucking (NAICS 484121) is estimated at $1-2 billion, driven primarily by the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) for military cargo movement and FEMA for disaster relief logistics. Competition is moderate, with a mix of large carriers and small businesses. Contracts are predominantly structured as indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) or blanket purchase agreements (BPA) under the GSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) 48, with task orders issued for specific lanes. Demand spikes during natural disasters and military deployments, making responsiveness a key factor. One-off contracts are rare; most work flows through established vehicles.
These agencies are the largest buyers of general freight trucking, long-distance services and products in the federal government. Each awards contracts under NAICS 484121 regularly — build relationships with their small business offices first.
To win contracts under NAICS 484121, target DLA's Freight Transportation Management (FTM) program and GSA MAS 48 for trucking. The most common set-asides are 8(a) and HUBZone for small businesses. The single highest-leverage move is to obtain a GSA MAS 48 contract for transportation and logistics, as it provides direct access to federal buyers and streamlines the ordering process. Focus on demonstrating past performance with on-time delivery and safety records, as these are critical evaluation factors.
Work is typically awarded via LPTA (lowest price technically acceptable) due to the commodity nature of trucking. Common vehicles include GSA MAS 48 (Transportation and Logistics), DLA's FTM program, and agency-specific IDIQs. Evaluation focuses on price, past performance, and safety record. Best-value tradeoffs may occur for complex or time-sensitive moves.
You need a USDOT number, Motor Carrier (MC) number, and a valid Commercial Driver's License (CDL) for drivers. For hazardous materials, additional endorsements and permits are required. Federal contracts often mandate compliance with FMCSA safety regulations and electronic logging devices (ELDs).
Yes, for many contracts over $150,000, you may need a bid bond, performance bond, and payment bond. However, for GSA Schedule contracts, bonding requirements vary by task order. Small businesses should check each solicitation's bonding requirements, as some may be waived or reduced.
8(a), HUBZone, and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) certifications are highly valued. For trucking, being a certified small business under NAICS 484121 (size standard $34M) is essential. Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) certification can also provide set-aside opportunities.
Competition is moderate, with about 30-40% of contracts set aside for small businesses. Large incumbents like FedEx and XPO Logistics dominate, but small businesses can win by focusing on niche lanes, offering competitive rates, and leveraging set-aside programs. The average award size for small businesses is around $500,000 to $2 million.
Typical task orders range from $50,000 to $500,000 for single shipments or short-term contracts. IDIQ contracts can have ceilings up to $50 million, but small businesses usually win smaller, recurring orders. The average annual revenue from federal contracts for a small trucking firm is about $1-3 million.