How to win federal plumbing and HVAC contracts
To win federal plumbing and HVAC contracts, register in SAM.gov, find notices under the plumbing and HVAC NAICS codes in the states you work in, and bid first on small business set-asides, which made up 75% of the 1,309 plumbing and HVAC solicitations posted in the last 12 months. Today there are 66 open notices, and the busiest buyer over the past year was the Department of Veterans Affairs.
The market today
Right now there are 66 open federal plumbing and HVAC notices, 49 of them open for bids. 24 close within the next 7 days. 41 are set aside for small or certified businesses, so fewer companies can compete. Over the last 12 months agencies posted 1,309 plumbing and HVAC solicitations and published 239 awards with a median value of $169K. The busiest buyer was the Department of Veterans Affairs, with 324 solicitations.
| Open notices today | 66 |
| Closing within 7 days | 24 |
| Set aside for small or certified businesses | 41 |
| Solicitations posted in the last 12 months | 1,309 |
| Published awards in the last 12 months | 239 (median $169K) |
From public SAM.gov data, updated October 20, 2026. See every open plumbing and HVAC notice.
Who buys plumbing and HVAC work
Plumbing and HVAC work comes from VA medical centers, military installations, GSA buildings, research labs and land agencies: equipment replacements, chiller and boiler work, controls upgrades and plumbing repairs.
The busiest buyers in the last 12 months:
- Department of Veterans Affairs: 324 solicitations
- Department of the Army: 127 solicitations
- Department of the Air Force: 116 solicitations
- National Park Service: 103 solicitations
- US Coast Guard: 98 solicitations
The states with the most open plumbing and HVAC work today: Texas (5), New York (4), Ohio (4), Washington (3), California (2), Oregon (2).
Rules to know before you bid
- Installation and repair work that counts as construction carries Davis-Bacon prevailing wages; contracts over $150,000 also need Miller Act bonds.
- Technicians handling refrigerants need EPA Section 608 certification, and the work must be done under the licenses required by the state.
- Hospital and laboratory jobs often add infection control and phasing requirements that affect your schedule and price.
NAICS codes for plumbing and HVAC
Agencies tag each notice with one NAICS code, and that code sets the size standard for small business set-asides. These are the codes BidFox follows for plumbing and HVAC:
How to win your first one
- Register your business in SAM.gov (free) and list every NAICS code above that you can really perform. How to register.
- Watch the notices in your states every day, including sources sought and presolicitations, which tell you what is coming.
- Start with small set-aside jobs close to home: they have fewer bidders and build the past performance you need later.
- Read the whole solicitation, ask questions before the deadline and acknowledge every amendment.
- Check the equipment schedule and the submittal requirements early: long lead times on chillers and air handlers are a common cause of delays and penalties.
Questions
How many federal plumbing and HVAC contracts are open right now?
On October 20, 2026 there were 66 open plumbing and HVAC notices on SAM.gov, 24 of them closing within a week.
Which agencies buy the most plumbing and HVAC?
Counting solicitations from the last 12 months: Department of Veterans Affairs (324); Department of the Army (127); Department of the Air Force (116).
Can a small business win federal plumbing and HVAC contracts?
Yes. 75% of the plumbing and HVAC solicitations in the last 12 months were set aside for small businesses or for certified firms such as 8(a), HUBZone, SDVOSB or WOSB.
How much are federal plumbing and HVAC contracts worth?
The median published award in the last 12 months was $169K, across 239 award notices. Values vary widely and some contracts are awarded without a public notice.
What NAICS codes are used for plumbing and HVAC?
The main ones are 238220 (Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning Contractors).
Related guides
- Bid bonds, performance bonds and prevailing wages on federal construction jobs
- How to bid on federal construction contracts
- NAICS codes for construction contractors
Last reviewed October 20, 2026. This guide is general information, not legal advice. Rules and dollar thresholds change, so check the solicitation and the official sources linked above.