Department of Labor (Labor) Contracting Guide | Budget, NAICS & Contracting Opportunities

FY2026 Budget

$200B+

unemployment insurance, job training, labor enforcement

OSDBU Contact

Office of Small Business Programs - OSBP@dol.gov

2026 Trend

Workforce development and apprenticeship programs, unemployment benefits IT modernization, worker training for emerging sectors

Market Intelligence

Real-time spending data via USAspending.gov

Annual Spend (FY2025)

Obligated to date

Budget UtilizationNaN%

Top Contract Awardees

$9.5B

$8.9B

$7.3B

$5.2B

$5.1B

WinBidIQ Insight: Department of Labor is showing high competition among the top 5 vendors. Small businesses should focus on subcontracting opportunities with these leaders or targeting niche set-asides where these giants are restricted.

How to Win Contracts from Department of Labor

As a major federal contracting entity, Department of Labor (Labor) commands a FY2026 budget of $200B+. Recent market intelligence indicates a highly active procurement cycle, with obligated spend distributed among 5 primary vendors.With a strategic focus on training and curriculum development expertise valued and workforce development partnership experience important, this agency presents targeted opportunities for contractors operating within critical NAICS codes like 611710 and 541611.

For emerging contractors, the most effective entry strategy is to identify recompete opportunities — contracts currently held by incumbents that are expiring within the next 12 to 18 months.Labor recompetes often have predictable scopes and defined evaluation criteria, making them significantly easier to bid intelligently than entirely new requirements.

Labor offers workforce training and development opportunities. Good for training companies and workforce IT providers. Apprenticeship growth = opportunity. Compliance moderate, training expertise valued.

Procurement Focus & Requirements

Training and curriculum development expertise valued
Workforce development partnership experience important
IT systems for benefits administration and unemployment
Population-focused programs (disadvantaged workers, dislocated workers)

Top NAICS Codes — Labor

These NAICS codes appear most frequently in Department of Labor solicitations. Include these in your SAM.gov registration to appear in agency searches and qualify for relevant set-asides.

611710

541611

541512

561210

611210

Common Recompete Categories at Labor

Recompetes — contracts currently held by an incumbent that are coming up for renewal — are the highest-probability opportunity for new entrants. These categories see recurring recompetes at Department of Labor:

Workforce development and training programs

Unemployment benefits systems and administration

Labor compliance and enforcement services

Job matching and career services platforms

Track live recompete opportunities in WinBidIQ

Department of Labor Contracting: FAQs

How much does Department of Labor spend on contracts annually?+

Department of Labor (Labor) has a FY2026 budget of $200B+ (unemployment insurance, job training, labor enforcement). Contract spending goes toward 5 primary NAICS code categories, with workforce development and apprenticeship programs, unemployment benefits it modernization, worker training for emerging sectors. Small businesses compete for set-aside contracts across all major spending categories.

What NAICS codes does Labor use for small business contracts?+

Department of Labor most frequently awards contracts under NAICS codes 611710, 541611, 541512, 561210, 611210. These cover Training and curriculum development expertise valued, Workforce development partnership experience important, IT systems for benefits administration and unemployment. Register in SAM.gov with these codes and ensure your size is within SBA size standards for each code to qualify for set-asides.

How do I contact Labor's small business office?+

Department of Labor's small business contact is: Office of Small Business Programs - OSBP@dol.gov. This office — typically called the OSDBU or OSBP — runs small business outreach events, matchmaking sessions, and subcontracting fairs. Attending these events is one of the most effective ways to get pre-RFP visibility with contracting officers.

What types of contracts does Labor award to small businesses?+

Department of Labor awards set-aside contracts under multiple socioeconomic programs including small business, 8(a) Business Development, WOSB (Women-Owned Small Business), SDVOSB (Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned), and HUBZone. Common contract vehicles include Workforce development and training programs and Unemployment benefits systems and administration. Most contracts over $25K are posted on SAM.gov.

What is the best strategy to win a first Labor contract?+

Start by identifying recompete opportunities — contracts expiring within 12 months where the incumbent may be vulnerable. Department of Labor recompete categories include: Workforce development and training programs; Unemployment benefits systems and administration; Labor compliance and enforcement services. Build past performance through subcontracting first, then bid on small set-asides. Attend OSDBU outreach events to meet program managers before RFPs drop.

What is Labor's procurement trend for 2026?+

Workforce development and apprenticeship programs, unemployment benefits IT modernization, worker training for emerging sectors. Labor offers workforce training and development opportunities. Good for training companies and workforce IT providers. Apprenticeship growth = opportunity. Compliance moderate, training expertise valued. Monitor SAM.gov and USASpending.gov for emerging solicitations and forecast notices — ideally 6-12 months before RFP release.

Find Labor Contracts Matched to Your Company

WinBidIQ monitors SAM.gov daily and scores every Department of Labor solicitation by fit to your company profile — NAICS codes, certifications, size, and past performance.

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