NAICS 238220: Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning Contractors
Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning Contractors is NAICS code 238220. A business is small under it with $19 million or less in average annual receipts. 51 federal contracts are open on SAM.gov under this code right now.
- SBA size standard
- $19 million or less in average annual receipts
- Open contracts now
- 51
- Federal spending, FY2026
- $1 billion
- Share won by small businesses
- 87%
- Small businesses registered
- 7,859
Open federal contracts for plumbing, heating, and air-conditioning contractors
- OK-DEEP FORK NWR-QUARTERS HVAC REPLACEM
Due in 1 dayOct 5, 2026
- Lower Monumental PH HVAC System Upgrade
Due in 1 dayOct 5, 2026
- Glycol Loop Flushing - NWI
Due in 1 dayOct 5, 2026
- Replace Cast Iron Fittings 676-23-009
Due in 3 daysOct 7, 2026
- Testing & Inspecting, Preventative Maintenance (PM), Corrective Repairs, and Service Calls for NTX VA Cogeneration and Boiler Chiller Plant
Due in 3 daysOct 7, 2026
- Testing & Inspecting, Preventative Maintenance (PM), Corrective Repairs, and Service Calls for NTX VA Cogeneration and Boiler Chiller Plant Amendment 0002
Due in 3 daysOct 7, 2026
What NAICS 238220 covers
The Census Bureau's NAICS index lists these kinds of work under 238220:
- Air system balancing and testing
- Air vent installation
- Air-conditioning system (except window) installation
- Bathroom plumbing fixture and sanitary ware installation
- Blower or fan, cooling and dry heating, installation
- Boiler chipping, cleaning and scaling
- Boiler, heating, installation
- Central air-conditioning equipment installation
- Central cooling equipment and piping installation
- Central heating equipment and piping installation
- Chilled water system installation
- Chimney liner installation
- Commercial freezer installation
- Commercial refrigeration system installation
The index lists 77 entries for this code in all.
Read the full definition, including what's excluded, on census.gov.
SBA size standard for 238220
To count as a small business for a contract assigned NAICS 238220, your business must have $19 million or less in average annual receipts. Receipts are averaged over your last five completed fiscal years.
From SBA's table of size standards, effective Mar 17, 2023. Confirm it with SBA's size standards tool before you certify your size.
Who buys plumbing, heating, and air-conditioning contractors
Agencies that awarded the most under NAICS 238220 over the last three fiscal years, per USAspending.gov:
| Agency | Obligated |
|---|---|
| Department of Veterans Affairs | $860.7 million |
| Department of the Navy | $608.2 million |
| Department of the Army | $448.2 million |
| Department of the Air Force | $292.9 million |
| Agricultural Research Service | $154.5 million |
| Federal Prison System / Bureau of Prisons | $90.4 million |
| Public Buildings Service | $88.7 million |
| Federal Aviation Administration | $79.3 million |
Open notices right now come from Dept of Defense (19), Department of Veterans Affairs (13), Department of the Interior (12), Department of Agriculture (4), Department of State (1) and Department of Justice (1).
Set-asides on open 238220 contracts
- Total small business set-aside: 21
- No set-aside (full and open): 14
- Service-disabled veteran-owned set-aside: 11
- 8(a) set-aside: 2
- Indian small business economic enterprise: 2
- Service-disabled veteran-owned sole source: 1
- Veteran-owned set-aside (VA): 1
Not sure which set-asides you qualify for? Try the free SBA certification screener, or read set-aside contracts, explained.
Your competition
7,859 businesses with active SAM.gov registrations are rated small under NAICS 238220, most of them in Texas (897), Florida (762), California (729), Maryland (375) and Virginia (370). Look any of them up with the free CAGE code and UEI lookup.
Federal spending under 238220 by year
| Fiscal year | Contract obligations |
|---|---|
| FY2024 | $1.1 billion |
| FY2025 | $1 billion |
| FY2026 | $1 billion |
| FY2027 (so far) | $6.4 million |
Source: USAspending.gov, all contract awards with this NAICS code. Fiscal years start October 1.
Related NAICS codes
- 238210 Electrical Contractors and Other Wiring Installation Contractors
- 238290 Other Building Equipment Contractors
Frequently asked questions
What is NAICS code 238220?
238220 is the 2022 NAICS code for Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning Contractors. The Census Bureau's index lists work such as air system balancing and testing, air vent installation, air-conditioning system (except window) installation under it. Federal contracting uses the 2022 codes.
What is the SBA size standard for NAICS 238220?
$19 million or less in average annual receipts. A business at or under that is small for contracts assigned this code. The current SBA table took effect Mar 17, 2023.
Are there government contracts for plumbing, heating, and air-conditioning contractors?
Yes. 51 federal contract opportunities under NAICS 238220 are open on SAM.gov right now. Agencies obligated about $1 billion under this code in fiscal year 2026, according to USAspending.gov.
How do I add NAICS code 238220 to my SAM.gov registration?
Update your entity registration on SAM.gov and add the code on the Goods and Services page, in the Assertions section. You can list several NAICS codes and mark one as your primary. Changes are free.
Keep going
- Government construction contracts, across every related code
- Search other NAICS codes by keyword or company
- How to choose NAICS codes for government contracts
- NAICS codes with the most open federal contracts
FedReady is an independent company, not affiliated with SBA, SAM.gov, the Census Bureau or any government agency. Open-contract counts come from SAM.gov and update daily; spending figures come from USAspending.gov.