How to win federal IT and software contracts
To win federal IT and software contracts, register in SAM.gov, find notices under the IT and software NAICS codes in the states you work in, and bid first on small business set-asides, which made up 41% of the 1,030 IT and software solicitations posted in the last 12 months. Today there are 126 open notices, and the busiest buyer over the past year was the Department of the Navy.
The market today
Right now there are 126 open federal IT and software notices, 39 of them open for bids. 41 close within the next 7 days. 21 are set aside for small or certified businesses, so fewer companies can compete. Over the last 12 months agencies posted 1,030 IT and software solicitations and published 623 awards with a median value of $222K. The busiest buyer was the Department of the Navy, with 182 solicitations.
| Open notices today | 126 |
| Closing within 7 days | 41 |
| Set aside for small or certified businesses | 21 |
| Solicitations posted in the last 12 months | 1,030 |
| Published awards in the last 12 months | 623 (median $222K) |
From public SAM.gov data, updated October 21, 2026. See every open IT and software notice.
Who buys IT and software work
Almost every agency buys IT services: software development, systems support, cybersecurity, cloud and data work. Much of it runs through GSA's Multiple Award Schedule and agency-wide contract vehicles, but open notices on SAM.gov are still common, especially for small businesses.
The busiest buyers in the last 12 months:
- Department of the Navy: 182 solicitations
- Department of Veterans Affairs: 141 solicitations
- Department of the Air Force: 119 solicitations
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration: 67 solicitations
- Department of the Army: 58 solicitations
The states with the most open IT and software work today: Virginia (21), Maryland (18), District of Columbia (13), Ohio (3), Massachusetts (3), Florida (3).
Rules to know before you bid
- Defense contracts that handle controlled unclassified information require the cybersecurity safeguards of DFARS 252.204-7012 and, increasingly, a CMMC level.
- Systems and content delivered to the government must meet Section 508 accessibility standards.
- Proposals are usually evaluated on technical approach, key personnel and past performance as well as price.
NAICS codes for IT and software
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 IT and software:
- 541511 Custom Computer Programming Services
- 541512 Computer Systems Design Services
- 541513 Computer Facilities Management Services
- 541519 Other Computer Related Services
- 518210 Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services
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.
- Answer sources sought notices with a short capability statement: IT requirements are often shaped during market research.
Questions
How many federal IT and software contracts are open right now?
On October 21, 2026 there were 126 open IT and software notices on SAM.gov, 41 of them closing within a week.
Which agencies buy the most IT and software?
Counting solicitations from the last 12 months: Department of the Navy (182); Department of Veterans Affairs (141); Department of the Air Force (119).
Can a small business win federal IT and software contracts?
Yes. 41% of the IT and software 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 IT and software contracts worth?
The median published award in the last 12 months was $222K, across 623 award notices. Values vary widely and some contracts are awarded without a public notice.
What NAICS codes are used for IT and software?
The main ones are 541511 (Custom Computer Programming Services), 541512 (Computer Systems Design Services), 541513 (Computer Facilities Management Services), 541519 (Other Computer Related Services), 518210 (Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services).
Related guides
- Sources sought, presolicitation, solicitation: SAM.gov notice types explained
- Small business set-asides, explained
- SAM.gov registration: what you need and how long it takes
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.