NAICS 238220

Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning Contractors

Updated July 2026 — federal spending and agency data cross-checked against SAM.gov and USAspending.gov.

HVAC, plumbing, and mechanical systems installation and maintenance.

Federal Spending

$4B+ annually

Top Agencies

GSA, DoD, VA

Market Outlook

Growing +3% annually. Energy efficiency mandates = increased HVAC upgrades.

13 CFR § 121.201SBA Size Standard

Small Business Threshold: $19.0M

Calculated on a 5-year average annual receipts (gross). Businesses with average revenue or headcount at or below this ceiling may qualify as small businesses for prime federal solicitations assigned NAICS 238220, subject to affiliation and program rules.

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Common Federal Contracts

1

Building HVAC systems

2

Plumbing installation and repair

3

Mechanical systems maintenance

4

Energy efficiency upgrades

Contractor Competitive Advantage

Skilled trade with high demand. Licensing creates competitive moat. GSA Schedule available. Strong minority and women-owned opportunity.

Relevant Certifications

8(a)

HUBZone

WOSB

Top Procuring Agencies

How to Win in This Sector

  1. 1. Verify Your NAICS: Make sure this NAICS code matches your primary business activity. You can only claim set-asides for your primary NAICS.
  2. 2. Apply for Certifications: Most contracts in this sector allow 8(a), WOSB, HUBZone, or SDVOSB certifications. These give you advantages in bidding.
  3. 3. Target Top Agencies: Identify the top 3 agencies hiring in this sector and research their procurement needs.
  4. 4. Assess Your Advantage: Review the competitive advantages above and determine how your firm differentiates.
  5. 5. Build Relationships: Attend industry days, connect with contracting officers, and respond to RFIs (Requests for Information).
Frequently Asked Questions

Everything You Need to Know Before Bidding

Straight answers on data privacy, free trial access, and federal contracting workflows.

NAICS 238220 covers Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning Contractors: HVAC, plumbing, and mechanical systems installation and maintenance. Federal agencies spend $4B+ annually annually on contracts in this category.

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