SAM.gov Construction Contracts [2025]: Complete Guide to Federal Bidding

Introduction

SAM.gov (System for Award Management) is the official portal for federal government contracting, representing over $700 billion in annual procurement including substantial construction opportunities. For construction contractors seeking federal work, understanding SAM.gov is essential—it's both your registration gateway and primary opportunity discovery platform.

Federal construction contracts span everything from small building repairs to massive infrastructure projects. Agencies like the Army Corps of Engineers, GSA, Department of Veterans Affairs, and dozens more procure billions in construction services annually through SAM.gov-posted solicitations.

This comprehensive guide covers everything construction contractors need to know about SAM.gov: registration requirements, finding opportunities, understanding NAICS codes, leveraging set-aside programs, and successfully navigating the federal bidding process.

Key SAM.gov Facts for Construction Contractors

Registration Required: Must be registered to bid on or receive federal contracts
Free Service: SAM.gov registration and use is completely free
Annual Renewal: Registration must be renewed annually
Opportunity Source: All federal opportunities over $25,000 posted here
Processing Time: Initial registration takes 7-10 business days

What Is SAM.gov

SAM.gov consolidates multiple federal procurement systems into a single platform. It serves as the authoritative source for entity registration, opportunity posting, and contract data for federal government procurement.

SAM.gov Primary Functions

Function	Description	Construction Relevance
Entity Registration	Register your business for federal contracting	Required before bidding
Contract Opportunities	Search and view federal solicitations	Find construction bids
Contract Data	Historical award information	Research competitors, pricing
Exclusions	Debarred/suspended contractors	Verify subcontractor eligibility
Wage Determinations	Davis-Bacon wage rates	Estimate labor costs

SAM.gov vs. Other Platforms

While SAM.gov is the official federal source, it has limitations for construction contractors:

Federal Only: No state or local government opportunities
Basic Search: Limited filtering compared to commercial platforms
No Alerts: Must manually check for new opportunities
Interface: Government interface can be challenging to navigate

Complement SAM.gov with Modern Tools

Many contractors use ConstructionBids.ai alongside SAM.gov. While SAM.gov is required for registration, ConstructionBids.ai provides:

AI-powered matching for relevant federal opportunities
State and local government bids in one platform
Daily digest emails of new opportunities
Modern, easy-to-use interface
Private sector opportunities included

SAM.gov Registration Process

Registering in SAM.gov is required before you can bid on federal contracts. The process is free but requires attention to detail. Plan for 2-4 weeks from start to active registration.

Step 1: Obtain a DUNS/UEI Number

Before starting SAM registration, you need a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). As of April 2022, SAM.gov assigns UEIs automatically during registration, replacing the previous DUNS number system.

UEIs are assigned free during SAM registration
Existing DUNS numbers have been migrated to UEIs
Your UEI identifies your business across all federal systems

Step 2: Create a Login.gov Account

SAM.gov uses Login.gov for authentication:

Visit login.gov to create an account
Use a business email address (not personal)
Set up multi-factor authentication
This account will access SAM.gov and other federal systems

Step 3: Complete Entity Registration

The registration form requires extensive business information:

Required Information

Legal Business Name: Exactly as registered with IRS
Physical Address: Principal place of business
EIN/TIN: Your federal tax identification number
Business Type: Corporation, LLC, partnership, etc.
NAICS Codes: Industry classification codes (see below)
PSC Codes: Product/Service codes for your work
Banking Information: For direct deposit of payments
Points of Contact: Government business, electronic business

For Construction Specifically

Bonding Information: Bid, performance, payment bond capacity
Size Standards: Annual receipts for small business determination
Past Performance: Previous contract references (optional during registration)
Certifications: Any SBA certifications you hold

Step 4: Validate and Submit

After completing the registration:

Review all information for accuracy
Submit for validation (takes 7-10 business days)
IRS validates your TIN/EIN
CAGE code assigned if you don't have one
Registration becomes active upon validation

Step 5: Annual Renewal

SAM.gov registration must be renewed annually:

Set calendar reminders 60 days before expiration
Update any changed information during renewal
Expired registration = ineligible for contract awards
Renewal is free and available year-round

Registration Tips

Allow Time: Start registration well before any bid deadlines
Exact Match: Business name must exactly match IRS records
Multiple NAICS: Register all applicable NAICS codes upfront
Update Promptly: Report changes within 30 days
Avoid Scams: SAM.gov registration is FREE—ignore paid "services"

Finding Construction Opportunities on SAM.gov

Once registered, you can search for federal construction opportunities in the Contract Opportunities section of SAM.gov. Here's how to effectively find relevant construction bids:

Basic Search Approach

Navigate to SAM.gov → Contract Opportunities
Use the search bar with construction-specific keywords
Filter by NAICS code (see section below)
Set geographic preferences if location-specific
Filter by set-aside type if applicable to your business

Effective Search Keywords

General Construction

"construction" + location (e.g., "construction California")
"design-build"
"renovation"
"building construction"
"facility construction"

Specialty Trades

"electrical construction" or "electrical contractor"
"mechanical" or "HVAC"
"plumbing"
"roofing"
"concrete" or "masonry"
"demolition"
"site work" or "earthwork"

Project Types

"military construction" or "MILCON"
"hospital construction" or "medical facility"
"school construction"
"road construction" or "highway"
"bridge"
"utilities"

Understanding Opportunity Types

Type	Description	Action Required
Presolicitation	Advance notice of upcoming solicitation	Prepare, watch for solicitation
Sources Sought	Agency researching potential contractors	Submit capability statement
Solicitation	Active bid request	Submit proposal by deadline
Combined Synopsis/Solicitation	Simplified acquisition procedure	Submit quote/proposal
Award Notice	Contract has been awarded	Research winning contractor, pricing

SAM.gov Search Limitations

While SAM.gov is the official source, contractors should be aware of its limitations:

No saved search alerts or automatic notifications
Interface can be difficult to navigate
Search results sometimes miss relevant opportunities
No AI-powered relevance matching
Federal only—no state/local opportunities

Better Opportunity Discovery

ConstructionBids.ai aggregates SAM.gov opportunities with state and local bids, adding AI-powered matching and daily email digests. Get notified of relevant federal construction opportunities automatically instead of manual SAM.gov searches.

NAICS Codes for Construction

NAICS (North American Industry Classification System) codes categorize your business activities and are essential for federal contracting. Agencies use NAICS codes to identify appropriate contractors for solicitations.

Primary Construction NAICS Codes

NAICS	Description	Size Standard
236220	Commercial Building Construction	$45M
236210	Industrial Building Construction	$45M
237310	Highway, Street, Bridge Construction	$45M
237990	Other Heavy Civil Construction	$45M
238210	Electrical Contractors	$19M
238220	Plumbing, HVAC Contractors	$19M
238910	Site Preparation Contractors	$19M
238990	All Other Specialty Trade	$19M

Size standards shown are average annual receipts for small business classification. Standards updated periodically—verify current standards at SBA.gov.

Specialty Trade NAICS Codes

Structural Trades (238100 series)

238110: Poured Concrete Foundation and Structure
238120: Structural Steel and Precast Concrete
238130: Framing Contractors
238140: Masonry Contractors
238150: Glass and Glazing Contractors
238160: Roofing Contractors
238170: Siding Contractors
238190: Other Foundation/Structure/Exterior

Building Equipment (238200 series)

238210: Electrical Contractors
238220: Plumbing, Heating, AC Contractors
238290: Other Building Equipment

Building Finishing (238300 series)

238310: Drywall and Insulation
238320: Painting and Wall Covering
238330: Flooring Contractors
238340: Tile and Terrazzo
238350: Finish Carpentry
238390: Other Building Finishing

Registering Multiple NAICS Codes

In SAM.gov, you should register all NAICS codes that accurately describe your company's capabilities:

Include primary NAICS (main business activity)
Add all secondary NAICS codes for services you provide
Consider codes for services you're capable of but less frequently perform
Each NAICS has its own small business size standard
You may qualify as small business under some NAICS but not others

Set-Aside Programs for Construction

Federal set-aside programs reserve certain contracts for qualified small businesses. For construction contractors, these programs can significantly increase win rates by reducing competition from large contractors.

Major Set-Aside Categories

Small Business (SB)

General small business set-aside for companies meeting SBA size standards. Most construction NAICS codes have size standards of $19-45 million in average annual receipts.

No special certification required beyond SAM.gov registration
Self-certify small business status in SAM.gov
Largest pool of set-aside opportunities

8(a) Business Development Program

SBA program for socially and economically disadvantaged businesses.

9-year program with sole-source contracting authority
Requires SBA certification
Highly competitive application process
Significant construction opportunities available

HUBZone

Historically Underutilized Business Zone program for businesses in designated geographic areas.

Principal office in HUBZone area
35%+ employees live in HUBZone
Requires SBA certification
10% price evaluation preference

Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned (SDVOSB)

For businesses owned/controlled by service-disabled veterans.

51%+ owned by service-disabled veteran(s)
VA certification required for VA contracts
Self-certification acceptable for other agencies
Growing construction opportunities

Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB)

For businesses owned/controlled by women in underrepresented industries.

51%+ owned/controlled by women
Self-certification or third-party certification
EDWOSB variant for economically disadvantaged
Certain NAICS codes eligible for set-asides

Construction Set-Aside Opportunities

Set-asides are particularly valuable in construction because:

Large federal construction spend creates substantial set-aside pool
Military construction (MILCON) has significant small business goals
GSA and other agencies actively pursue small business participation
Subcontracting plans on large contracts create additional opportunities

Federal Construction Bidding Process

Understanding the federal bidding process helps you submit competitive, compliant proposals. The process differs from private sector and state/local bidding in several important ways.

Typical Timeline

Phase	Typical Duration	Key Activities
Pre-Solicitation	30-90 days before	Sources sought, industry days
Solicitation Period	30-60 days typically	Review, questions, site visits, prepare bid
Evaluation	30-90 days	Agency reviews proposals
Award	After evaluation	Contract award, debrief losers

Bid Package Components

Technical Proposal

Technical approach and methodology
Project schedule and milestones
Quality control plan
Safety plan
Key personnel qualifications
Past performance references

Price Proposal

Detailed cost breakdown by line item
Labor rates and hours
Material costs
Equipment costs
Subcontractor quotes
Overhead and profit

Administrative Requirements

Representations and certifications
Bid bond (typically 20% of bid)
Evidence of bonding capacity
Insurance certificates
Small business subcontracting plan (if large business)

Evaluation Methods

Federal construction contracts use different evaluation approaches:

Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA): Price wins among qualified bidders
Best Value Tradeoff: Considers technical factors and price
Lowest Price: Sealed bidding, price only (less common now)

Compliance Requirements

Federal construction contracts include numerous compliance requirements beyond typical private sector work. Understanding these requirements is essential for successful federal contracting.

Davis-Bacon Act

Requires payment of prevailing wages on federal construction contracts over $2,000:

Wage determinations specify minimum rates by trade and location
Weekly certified payroll submissions required
Applies to contractors and subcontractors
Penalties for non-compliance include contract termination

Buy American Act

Requires use of domestic materials on federal projects:

Construction materials must be mined/produced in the U.S.
Manufactured products must be substantially transformed domestically
Waivers available in limited circumstances
Recent executive orders have strengthened requirements

Safety and Environmental

OSHA compliance required
Corps of Engineers EM 385-1-1 on some projects
Environmental permits and compliance
Activity hazard analyses
Accident reporting requirements

Bonding Requirements

Miller Act requires bonds on federal construction over $150,000:

Bid Bond: Typically 20% of bid amount
Performance Bond: 100% of contract value
Payment Bond: 100% of contract value

Tools and Resources

Successful federal construction contracting requires leveraging available resources and tools to find opportunities and navigate requirements.

Official Government Resources

SAM.gov: Registration and opportunity search (required)
SBA.gov: Small business certifications and resources
FPDS.gov: Historical contract data and spending
USASpending.gov: Federal spending transparency
WDOL.gov: Wage determinations for Davis-Bacon
GSA.gov: GSA schedule information

Opportunity Discovery Tools

ConstructionBids.ai

AI-powered platform aggregating federal, state, and local construction opportunities with intelligent matching and daily alerts.

Includes SAM.gov federal opportunities
Adds state and local government bids
Private sector opportunities included
AI-powered relevance matching
Daily email digests
Modern, easy-to-use interface

Start Free Trial →

Training Resources

SBA Learning Center: Free courses on federal contracting
PTAC: Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (free counseling)
SBDCs: Small Business Development Centers
DAU: Defense Acquisition University (free courses)

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I register for SAM.gov?

Create a Login.gov account, then navigate to SAM.gov and complete the entity registration process. You'll need your EIN/TIN, banking information, NAICS codes, and business details. Registration is free and takes 7-10 business days for validation. Annual renewal is required.

How long does SAM.gov registration take?

Initial registration typically takes 7-10 business days for IRS validation and CAGE code assignment. The application itself takes 1-3 hours to complete depending on business complexity. Allow 2-4 weeks total from start to active registration status.

Is SAM.gov registration free?

Yes, SAM.gov registration is completely free. Beware of scam services charging for registration or renewal. The official government website is SAM.gov—any other URL may be fraudulent.

What NAICS codes should construction contractors use?

Register all NAICS codes that accurately describe your capabilities. General contractors typically use 236220 (Commercial Building) or 236210 (Industrial Building). Specialty trades use 238xxx codes specific to their work (electrical, plumbing, concrete, etc.). See the NAICS section above for complete listings.

How do I find construction opportunities on SAM.gov?

Navigate to Contract Opportunities and search using construction keywords and NAICS codes. Filter by set-aside type if applicable. However, SAM.gov search has limitations—consider using ConstructionBids.ai for better opportunity discovery with AI-powered matching and automatic alerts.

What is the difference between SAM.gov and ConstructionBids.ai?

SAM.gov is the official federal registration and opportunity portal— registration there is required. ConstructionBids.ai is a modern platform that aggregates SAM.gov opportunities plus state/local/private bids, adds AI-powered matching, and provides daily email alerts. Many contractors use both: SAM.gov for registration and ConstructionBids.ai for opportunity discovery.

Do I need special certifications for federal construction work?

Basic federal contracting requires only SAM.gov registration. However, certifications like 8(a), HUBZone, SDVOSB, or WOSB open additional set-aside opportunities with less competition. Evaluate whether certification benefits outweigh the application effort for your business situation.

What bonding is required for federal construction?

The Miller Act requires bid bonds (typically 20%), performance bonds (100% of contract value), and payment bonds (100%) on federal construction over $150,000. Establish relationships with surety companies before pursuing federal work.

How competitive is federal construction bidding?

Competition varies by project size, location, and set-aside status. Small business set-asides typically have 3-15 bidders. Open competitions for larger projects may have more. Success rates improve with experience, past performance, and competitive pricing.

Can subcontractors use SAM.gov to find work?

Subcontractors can find prime opportunities to bid on SAM.gov. Additionally, large federal prime contracts require subcontracting plans, creating opportunities for small business subcontractors. ConstructionBids.ai helps subcontractors find both prime opportunities and subcontracting possibilities.

Conclusion

SAM.gov is the essential gateway to federal construction contracting, representing billions in annual opportunities. Success requires proper registration, understanding of the system's capabilities and limitations, and strategic use of complementary tools for opportunity discovery.

Key steps for getting started:

Complete SAM.gov registration with all applicable NAICS codes
Evaluate certification opportunities (8(a), HUBZone, SDVOSB, WOSB)
Establish bonding relationships for Miller Act requirements
Set up efficient opportunity discovery using modern tools
Build past performance through smaller contracts first

While SAM.gov registration is mandatory, its search capabilities are limited. Complement your federal contracting efforts with tools designed for efficient opportunity discovery to ensure you don't miss valuable contracts.

Find Federal Construction Opportunities More Efficiently

ConstructionBids.ai aggregates SAM.gov opportunities with state, local, and private sector bids. Our AI-powered matching surfaces relevant construction opportunities, and daily digests ensure you never miss important bid deadlines.