Industry Contracting Guide
Government Contracts for Environmental Services
Environmental contracts include CERCLA/RCRA remediation, NEPA documentation, and PFAS cleanup. DOE EM and DoD ER programs anchor the largest pipelines.
Industry snapshot
- Average contract size
- $500K–$50M+
- Common certifications
- CHMM · PE · ER-OSHA
Common government buyers
- Department of Energy (DOE)
Energy security, nuclear safety, science
- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Environmental protection and regulation
- Department of Defense (DoD)
National defense and military operations
Typical contract types
- IDIQ MATOC
- Cost-plus
- FFP
Challenges to expect
- UXO certification
- OSHA HAZWOPER
- Stop-work risk
Where the opportunities are right now
- DOE EM mission contracts
- Air Force AFCEC NRC
- Navy NAVFAC RAC
Most relevant NAICS codes
- NAICS 562910 — Remediation Services
- NAICS 541620 — Environmental Consulting Services
- NAICS 541380 — Testing Laboratories
States with the most environmental services contracting activity
- Washington — ~$16.8B annual
- Tennessee — ~$8.7B annual
- New Mexico — ~$11.8B annual
FAQs
- What agencies buy the most environmental services services?
- Top federal buyers for environmental services include Department of Energy, Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Defense.
- What is the typical contract size in environmental services?
- Average federal contract size in environmental services ranges $500K–$50M+, with the largest awards typically flowing through IDIQ MATOC pools and BPAs.
- Which NAICS codes apply to environmental services?
- The most relevant NAICS codes are 562910 (Remediation Services); 541620 (Environmental Consulting Services); 541380 (Testing Laboratories).
- What certifications matter most in environmental services contracting?
- Common gating certifications include CHMM, PE, ER-OSHA. Set-aside certifications (8(a), HUBZone, WOSB, SDVOSB) layer on top for small businesses.
- What are the biggest challenges for new entrants?
- UXO certification; OSHA HAZWOPER; Stop-work risk. These are surmountable but should be priced into your B&P investment.