Industry Contracting Guide
Government Contracts for Landscaping & Grounds
Grounds maintenance at military installations and federal facilities is a recurring services market dominated by 8(a) and SDVOSB set-asides.
Industry snapshot
- Average contract size
- $250K–$8M
- Common certifications
- ISA · NALP · 8(a)
Common government buyers
- Department of Defense (DoD)
National defense and military operations
- General Services Administration (GSA)
Federal real estate, vehicles, and acquisition support
- Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
Healthcare and benefits for veterans
Typical contract types
- IDIQ
- FFP
- BPA
Challenges to expect
- Service Contract Act wages
- Pesticide licensing
- Equipment surge for storm cleanup
Where the opportunities are right now
- MICC installation grounds
- VA medical campus
- USACE recreation areas
Most relevant NAICS codes
- NAICS 561730 — Landscaping Services
States with the most landscaping & grounds contracting activity
- Virginia — ~$105.4B annual
- Texas — ~$53.6B annual
- California — ~$73.5B annual
FAQs
- What agencies buy the most landscaping & grounds services?
- Top federal buyers for landscaping & grounds include Department of Defense, General Services Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.
- What is the typical contract size in landscaping & grounds?
- Average federal contract size in landscaping & grounds ranges $250K–$8M, with the largest awards typically flowing through IDIQ MATOC pools and BPAs.
- Which NAICS codes apply to landscaping & grounds?
- The most relevant NAICS codes are 561730 (Landscaping Services); 541320 (); 238290 ().
- What certifications matter most in landscaping & grounds contracting?
- Common gating certifications include ISA, NALP, 8(a). Set-aside certifications (8(a), HUBZone, WOSB, SDVOSB) layer on top for small businesses.
- What are the biggest challenges for new entrants?
- Service Contract Act wages; Pesticide licensing; Equipment surge for storm cleanup. These are surmountable but should be priced into your B&P investment.