State Contracting Guide
Government Contracts in Vermont
Vermont's federal contracting is small but distinctive, focused on GlobalFoundries semiconductors, the Vermont Air National Guard F-35 mission, and rural USDA programs.
Federal contracting in Vermont at a glance
- Annual federal obligations
- ~$0.9B
- Capital
- Montpelier
- Procurement hubs
- Burlington • Essex Junction • Montpelier
Vermont-specific guidance
GlobalFoundries Essex Junction is a trusted-foundry source for DoD semiconductors — small businesses that touch the semiconductor supply chain have a unique CHIPS Act funding pathway here.
Step-by-step: winning federal work in Vermont
- Register on SAM.gov and select NAICS codes aligned with the buyers most active in Vermont — see the SAM.gov registration guide.
- Schedule a free consultation with the Vermont APEX Accelerator for capability statement review and local opportunity matching.
- Set saved searches on SAM.gov filtered to place-of-performance = VT for each of your NAICS codes.
- Attend small-business outreach events at Burlington-area installations and federal facilities.
- Pursue subcontracting with primes already on regional MATOC pools — particularly USACE and NAVFAC vehicles for construction trades.
Top industries receiving contracts in Vermont
- Defense Services
Defense services span everything from logistics and base operations support to PEO-level program management.
- Manufacturing
Federal manufacturing buys range from ammunition to precision optics.
- Agriculture
USDA, FSA, and APHIS obligate billions on rural development, conservation, and ag-research grants and contracts.
Top federal buyers in Vermont
- Department of Defense (DoD)~$456B annual federal spend
- Department of the Air Force (Air Force)~$220B annual federal spend
- Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)~$36B annual federal spend
Most active NAICS codes in Vermont
- NAICS 541330 — Engineering Services
FAQs about government contracts in Vermont
- How much does the federal government spend on contracts in Vermont?
- Federal contract obligations in Vermont total approximately $0.9 billion annually, concentrated in defense and manufacturing.
- Who are the largest federal buyers in Vermont?
- The top federal buyers in Vermont are typically tied to installations and federal facilities around Burlington and Essex Junction, including programs run by agencies like DoD, Air Force, VA.
- What is the Vermont APEX Accelerator?
- Vermont APEX Accelerator is the federally funded APEX Accelerator that provides free counseling for Vermont businesses pursuing federal, state, and local government contracts — including SAM.gov registration, capability statement reviews, and bid-matching.
- Which NAICS codes are most active in Vermont?
- The most active NAICS codes in Vermont include 334413 (), 541330 (Engineering Services), 115310 ().
- Do I need to be located in Vermont to win contracts there?
- No — federal contracts are awarded based on the solicitation's place of performance and evaluation criteria, not contractor location. However, in-state presence often reduces travel costs, supports HUBZone eligibility in qualifying areas, and matters for state-funded opportunities.