How to win federal security guard contracts
To win federal security guard contracts, register in SAM.gov, find notices under the security guard NAICS codes in the states you work in, and bid first on small business set-asides, which made up 68% of the 521 security guard solicitations posted in the last 12 months. Today there are 36 open notices, and the busiest buyer over the past year was the Department of the Air Force.
The market today
Right now there are 36 open federal security guard notices, 21 of them open for bids. 3 close within the next 7 days. 20 are set aside for small or certified businesses, so fewer companies can compete. Over the last 12 months agencies posted 521 security guard solicitations and published 105 awards with a median value of $62K. The busiest buyer was the Department of the Air Force, with 100 solicitations.
| Open notices today | 36 |
| Closing within 7 days | 3 |
| Set aside for small or certified businesses | 20 |
| Solicitations posted in the last 12 months | 521 |
| Published awards in the last 12 months | 105 (median $62K) |
From public SAM.gov data, updated October 20, 2026. See every open security guard notice.
Who buys security guard work
Guard services are bought for federal buildings, courthouses, military installations, VA facilities and border stations. Contracts for many federal buildings are managed by the Federal Protective Service.
The busiest buyers in the last 12 months:
- Department of the Air Force: 100 solicitations
- Department of Veterans Affairs: 88 solicitations
- Department of the Army: 73 solicitations
- Department of the Navy: 32 solicitations
- US Coast Guard: 28 solicitations
The states with the most open security guard work today: New York (3), Virginia (3), Utah (2), District of Columbia (2), Idaho (2), California (2).
Rules to know before you bid
- Guard contracts are service contracts covered by Service Contract Act wage determinations.
- Officers must hold the state guard licenses required where they work; armed posts add firearms qualification.
- Contracts often require specific training and certification for each officer, background investigations and post orders for every post.
NAICS codes for security guard
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 security guard:
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.
- Price every post by hours of coverage, relief and supervision, and plan recruiting early: unfilled posts usually mean deductions.
Questions
How many federal security guard contracts are open right now?
On October 20, 2026 there were 36 open security guard notices on SAM.gov, 3 of them closing within a week.
Which agencies buy the most security guard?
Counting solicitations from the last 12 months: Department of the Air Force (100); Department of Veterans Affairs (88); Department of the Army (73).
Can a small business win federal security guard contracts?
Yes. 68% of the security guard 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 security guard contracts worth?
The median published award in the last 12 months was $62K, across 105 award notices. Values vary widely and some contracts are awarded without a public notice.
What NAICS codes are used for security guard?
The main ones are 561612 (Security Guards and Patrol Services), 561621 (Security Systems Services (except Locksmiths)).
Related guides
- Small business set-asides, explained
- Sources sought, presolicitation, solicitation: SAM.gov notice types 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.