How to find HVAC and plumbing federal contracts

The process in facts, with today's numbers for NAICS 238220. Information only, not bid or legal advice.

1. Where notices live

Federal buys expected to exceed USD 25,000 must be publicly synopsized on SAM.gov contract opportunities (FAR 5.101, with the exceptions in FAR 5.202); reading is free and needs no account. Today it holds 52 open notices under this code: 16 solicitations (offers due), 15 combined synopsis/solicitations (the notice is the full request for quotes), 11 presolicitations (a solicitation is coming) and 10 sources-sought notices (market research: the agency asks who can do the work, often before deciding on a set-aside).

2. What you need before an award

A free entity registration on SAM.gov (entity registration), which issues a Unique Entity ID; your NAICS code (238220 = hvac and plumbing contractors; look up others at census.gov/naics); and, for set-aside notices, the matching SBA status. The SBA's basic requirements page lists the steps.

3. Set-asides, in this trade today

38 of the 52 open notices restrict who may offer: 21 total small business, 13 service-disabled veteran-owned, 2 8(a), 2 other certified programs. 1 are open to all and 13 do not state a set-aside. Program definitions: SBA contracting assistance programs.

4. How much time you get

Across the open and recently closed notices in this trade, the median time from posting to response deadline is 8 days. 32 of today's open notices were posted in the last 7 days. That is why a weekly read matters more than a monthly one.

5. Where the work is

29 open notices name a place of performance in 20 states (see the by-state table); 23 name none, usually nationwide or multi-site requirements. The place of performance is where the work happens, which is not always the contracting office's state.

6. Free alternative

SAM.gov saved searches can email you new notices for a NAICS code and state at no charge; you need an account and the right codes. Our pages and lists do the same reading for you across the five trades and add plain-language labels; they are not a substitute for reading the notice.