Industry Contracting Guide
Government Contracts for Logistics & Transportation
DLA, USTRANSCOM, and individual service components obligate billions in transportation, warehousing, and distribution annually. SCAC codes and on-base presence often matter as much as price.
Industry snapshot
- Average contract size
- $250K–$20M
- Common certifications
- DOT · AA&E · TSA
Common government buyers
- Department of Defense (DoD)
National defense and military operations
- Defense Logistics Agency (DLA)
Supply chain for the U.S. military
- Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
Homeland security and counter-terrorism
Typical contract types
- IDIQ MATOC
- BPA
- FFP
Challenges to expect
- DOT compliance
- ITAR for international moves
- Surge capacity
Where the opportunities are right now
- USTRANSCOM NDC contracts
- DLA disposition services
- Defense Personal Property Program
Most relevant NAICS codes
- NAICS 488510 — Freight Transportation Arrangement
States with the most logistics & transportation contracting activity
- Pennsylvania — ~$12.4B annual
- California — ~$73.5B annual
- Virginia — ~$105.4B annual
FAQs
- What agencies buy the most logistics & transportation services?
- Top federal buyers for logistics & transportation include Department of Defense, Defense Logistics Agency, Department of Homeland Security.
- What is the typical contract size in logistics & transportation?
- Average federal contract size in logistics & transportation ranges $250K–$20M, with the largest awards typically flowing through IDIQ MATOC pools and BPAs.
- Which NAICS codes apply to logistics & transportation?
- The most relevant NAICS codes are 488510 (Freight Transportation Arrangement); 493110 (); 484110 ().
- What certifications matter most in logistics & transportation contracting?
- Common gating certifications include DOT, AA&E, TSA. Set-aside certifications (8(a), HUBZone, WOSB, SDVOSB) layer on top for small businesses.
- What are the biggest challenges for new entrants?
- DOT compliance; ITAR for international moves; Surge capacity. These are surmountable but should be priced into your B&P investment.