Industry Contracting Guide
Government Contracts for Waste Management
Solid-waste, hazardous-waste, and recycling contracts at federal facilities. EPA RCRA permitting is the standard gating requirement.
Industry snapshot
- Average contract size
- $250K–$15M
- Common certifications
- RCRA · DOT-HM · CHMM
Common government buyers
- Department of Defense (DoD)
National defense and military operations
- Department of Energy (DOE)
Energy security, nuclear safety, science
- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Environmental protection and regulation
Typical contract types
- IDIQ
- FFP
- Cost-plus
Challenges to expect
- RCRA Part B permitting
- Profile-test turnaround
- Generator-status changes
Where the opportunities are right now
- DoD installation MSW IDIQs
- DOE EM HW/MW
- VA medical pathological waste
Most relevant NAICS codes
- NAICS 562910 — Remediation Services
States with the most waste management contracting activity
- Virginia — ~$105.4B annual
- California — ~$73.5B annual
- Washington — ~$16.8B annual
FAQs
- What agencies buy the most waste management services?
- Top federal buyers for waste management include Department of Defense, Department of Energy, Environmental Protection Agency.
- What is the typical contract size in waste management?
- Average federal contract size in waste management ranges $250K–$15M, with the largest awards typically flowing through IDIQ MATOC pools and BPAs.
- Which NAICS codes apply to waste management?
- The most relevant NAICS codes are 562111 (); 562211 (); 562910 (Remediation Services).
- What certifications matter most in waste management contracting?
- Common gating certifications include RCRA, DOT-HM, CHMM. Set-aside certifications (8(a), HUBZone, WOSB, SDVOSB) layer on top for small businesses.
- What are the biggest challenges for new entrants?
- RCRA Part B permitting; Profile-test turnaround; Generator-status changes. These are surmountable but should be priced into your B&P investment.