Industry Contracting Guide
Government Contracts for Agriculture
USDA, FSA, and APHIS obligate billions on rural development, conservation, and ag-research grants and contracts. Many opportunities flow through cooperative agreements rather than FAR contracts.
Industry snapshot
- Average contract size
- $100K–$10M
- Common certifications
- USDA Certified Organic · GAP · ISO 22000
Common government buyers
- Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Agriculture, nutrition, and rural development
- Department of the Interior (DOI)
Public lands, water, and Indian affairs
- Department of Defense (DoD)
National defense and military operations
Typical contract types
- FFP
- Cooperative agreement
- IDIQ
Challenges to expect
- GAP/GHP audits
- Davis-Bacon on rural construction
- Tribal consultation requirements
Where the opportunities are right now
- USDA Rural Development infrastructure
- NRCS conservation easements
- ARS research contracts
Most relevant NAICS codes
- NAICS 311615 — Poultry Processing
- NAICS 541712 — Research & Development in the Physical, Engineering & Life Sciences (legacy)
States with the most agriculture contracting activity
- Iowa — ~$1.4B annual
- Arkansas — ~$2.4B annual
- California — ~$73.5B annual
FAQs
- What agencies buy the most agriculture services?
- Top federal buyers for agriculture include Department of Agriculture, Department of the Interior, Department of Defense.
- What is the typical contract size in agriculture?
- Average federal contract size in agriculture ranges $100K–$10M, with the largest awards typically flowing through IDIQ MATOC pools and BPAs.
- Which NAICS codes apply to agriculture?
- The most relevant NAICS codes are 115310 (); 311615 (Poultry Processing); 541712 (Research & Development in the Physical, Engineering & Life Sciences (legacy)).
- What certifications matter most in agriculture contracting?
- Common gating certifications include USDA Certified Organic, GAP, ISO 22000. Set-aside certifications (8(a), HUBZone, WOSB, SDVOSB) layer on top for small businesses.
- What are the biggest challenges for new entrants?
- GAP/GHP audits; Davis-Bacon on rural construction; Tribal consultation requirements. These are surmountable but should be priced into your B&P investment.