Industry Contracting Guide
Government Contracts for Transportation
FAA, DOT, FHWA, and DLA all obligate transportation services. DoD's Defense Personal Property Program (HHG moves) is one of the largest individual programs.
Industry snapshot
- Average contract size
- $250K–$50M
- Common certifications
- DBE · DOT · TSA
Common government buyers
- Department of Transportation (DOT)
Transportation safety and infrastructure
- Department of Defense (DoD)
National defense and military operations
Typical contract types
- IDIQ
- BPA
- FFP
Challenges to expect
- FMCSA compliance
- DBE participation goals
- Surge capacity
Where the opportunities are right now
- FAA NextGen contracts
- FHWA infrastructure grants
- USTRANSCOM NDC
Most relevant NAICS codes
- NAICS 488510 — Freight Transportation Arrangement
States with the most transportation contracting activity
- California — ~$73.5B annual
- Texas — ~$53.6B annual
- Virginia — ~$105.4B annual
FAQs
- What agencies buy the most transportation services?
- Top federal buyers for transportation include Department of Transportation, FAA, Department of Defense.
- What is the typical contract size in transportation?
- Average federal contract size in transportation ranges $250K–$50M, with the largest awards typically flowing through IDIQ MATOC pools and BPAs.
- Which NAICS codes apply to transportation?
- The most relevant NAICS codes are 488510 (Freight Transportation Arrangement); 484110 (); 488190 ().
- What certifications matter most in transportation contracting?
- Common gating certifications include DBE, DOT, TSA. Set-aside certifications (8(a), HUBZone, WOSB, SDVOSB) layer on top for small businesses.
- What are the biggest challenges for new entrants?
- FMCSA compliance; DBE participation goals; Surge capacity. These are surmountable but should be priced into your B&P investment.