Subcontracting opportunities with federal prime contractors

Companies that aren't small businesses must agree to a small business subcontracting plan on federal contracts over $900,000, with goals for how much of the work goes to small businesses. These pages list the primes holding those plans in each NAICS code, from SBA's directory of 40,622 plan contracts, and the subcontracts they recently reported to small businesses.

How to win subcontracts

Register in the prime's supplier portal. Most large primes have one, usually under “supplier diversity” or “small business programs” on their website. Buyers search it when they need a subcontractor, so list your NAICS codes, certifications and past work.
Contact the small business liaison officer. Every prime with a plan names someone to run it. Find them through the supplier portal, or for defense primes in DoD's prime contractor directory. Send a one-page capability statement that names the contracts and agencies you can support.
Watch SBA's SubNet. Primes post subcontracting solicitations and sources sought notices on SubNet.
Be easy to vet. Keep your SAM.gov registration active and check that you count as small with the size standard checker. Certifications such as 8(a), HUBZone, WOSB and SDVOSB count toward the prime's goals, which makes you more valuable to them.
Get free help. APEX Accelerators introduce small businesses to primes and run matchmaking events. Our guide to becoming a government subcontractor covers the rest.

Primes with the most subcontracting plans

Prime contractor	Plan contracts	Value	Main NAICS code
The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory LLC7 NAICS codes	670	$4.9B	541715Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
Valero Marketing and Supply Company	463	$3.5B	324110Petroleum Refineries
Science Applications International Corporation19 NAICS codes	458	$10.2B	541330Engineering Services
BP Products North America Inc.	392	$3.5B	324110Petroleum Refineries
Booz Allen Hamilton Inc.20 NAICS codes	390	$21.3B	541330Engineering Services
Metropolitan Security Services, Inc.	313	$1.3B	561612Security Guards and Patrol Services
Marathon Petroleum Company LP	301	$711M	324110Petroleum Refineries
Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.	278	$575M	334517Irradiation Apparatus Manufacturing
Leidos, Inc.8 NAICS codes	275	$3.4B	541512Computer Systems Design Services
General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc.19 NAICS codes	274	$9.4B	541512Computer Systems Design Services
Deloitte Consulting LLP15 NAICS codes	241	$8.3B	541611Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services
Paragon Systems, Inc.2 NAICS codes	239	$1.2B	561612Security Guards and Patrol Services
Mckesson Corporation	238	$26.5B	325412Pharmaceutical Preparation Manufacturing
Rockwell Collins, Inc.9 NAICS codes	236	$2.1B	334220Radio and Television Broadcasting and Wireless Communications Equipment Manufacturing
The MITRE Corporation3 NAICS codes	234	$5.3B	541990All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
AECOM Technical Services, Inc.11 NAICS codes	233	$1.1B	541330Engineering Services
Serco Inc.22 NAICS codes	231	$3.7B	541330Engineering Services
United Technologies Corporation6 NAICS codes	223	$2.9B	332722Bolt, Nut, Screw, Rivet, and Washer Manufacturing
The Boeing Company8 NAICS codes	219	$8.7B	336411Aircraft Manufacturing
Carahsoft Technology Corporation4 NAICS codes	215	$3.4B	511210
Harris Global Communications, Inc.2 NAICS codes	204	$1.9B	334290Other Communications Equipment Manufacturing
Iron Bow Technologies, LLC5 NAICS codes	203	$2.1B	334111Electronic Computer Manufacturing
The Pennsylvania State University	198	$1.4B	541715Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
California Institute of Technology	196	$9.1B	541715Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
Oshkosh Defense, LLC18 NAICS codes	192	$2.2B	336212Truck Trailer Manufacturing

Subcontracting by NAICS code

Codes where at least five primes held subcontracting plans, most primes first.

NAICS code	Industry	Primes	Plan contracts
541330	Engineering Services	653	4,821
541715	Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)	527	3,298
541611	Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services	216	1,190
336413	Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing	196	1,476
541990	All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services	195	977
236220	Commercial and Institutional Building Construction	192	872
541519	Other Computer Related Services	187	1,065
334511	Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing	182	842
541512	Computer Systems Design Services	159	1,487
237990	Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction	139	576
541714	Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology)	125	253
541511	Custom Computer Programming Services	118	402
561210	Facilities Support Services	97	493
541310	Architectural Services	88	277
541690	Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services	75	456
336611	Ship Building and Repairing	68	675
334220	Radio and Television Broadcasting and Wireless Communications Equipment Manufacturing	67	646
623990	Other Residential Care Facilities	65	436
237310	Highway, Street, and Bridge Construction	64	132
562910	Remediation Services	59	290
336411	Aircraft Manufacturing	58	558
332993	Ammunition (except Small Arms) Manufacturing	57	315
336412	Aircraft Engine and Engine Parts Manufacturing	54	591
541620	Environmental Consulting Services	54	282
518210	Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services	52	260
561720	Janitorial Services	51	145
334290	Other Communications Equipment Manufacturing	49	425
541380	Testing Laboratories and Services	48	215
488190	Other Support Activities for Air Transportation	46	300
334419	Other Electronic Component Manufacturing	46	157
221122	Electric Power Distribution	41	145
334111	Electronic Computer Manufacturing	40	497
541513	Computer Facilities Management Services	38	213
611430	Professional and Management Development Training	37	88
561612	Security Guards and Patrol Services	34	863
334516	Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing	34	172
339112	Surgical and Medical Instrument Manufacturing	33	193
325412	Pharmaceutical Preparation Manufacturing	32	361
334412	Bare Printed Circuit Board Manufacturing	32	56
541720	Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities	31	229
811210	Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance	30	99
541618	Other Management Consulting Services	30	79
336414	Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing	29	99
811310	Commercial and Industrial Machinery and Equipment (except Automotive and Electronic) Repair and Maintenance	29	131
336992	Military Armored Vehicle, Tank, and Tank Component Manufacturing	28	155
722310	Food Service Contractors	28	150
334515	Instrument Manufacturing for Measuring and Testing Electricity and Electrical Signals	28	95
332994	Small Arms, Ordnance, and Ordnance Accessories Manufacturing	27	141
541612	Human Resources Consulting Services	26	71
339113	Surgical Appliance and Supplies Manufacturing	26	95
334519	Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing	25	54
611710	Educational Support Services	25	78
621511	Medical Laboratories	24	161
483111	Deep Sea Freight Transportation	24	445
325920	Explosives Manufacturing	24	135
311999	All Other Miscellaneous Food Manufacturing	24	255
237110	Water and Sewer Line and Related Structures Construction	24	30
336419	Other Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing	24	41
236210	Industrial Building Construction	23	26
324110	Petroleum Refineries	22	2,087
621498	All Other Outpatient Care Centers	22	198
541614	Process, Physical Distribution, and Logistics Consulting Services	22	76
333120	Construction Machinery Manufacturing	22	282
423450	Medical, Dental, and Hospital Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers	20	197
561621	Security Systems Services (except Locksmiths)	20	101
517410	Satellite Telecommunications	19	72
611519	Other Technical and Trade Schools	19	86
334517	Irradiation Apparatus Manufacturing	19	705
311421	Fruit and Vegetable Canning	19	272
333618	Other Engine Equipment Manufacturing	19	119
611310	Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools	19	73
541713	Research and Development in Nanotechnology	19	27
611512	Flight Training	18	61
238210	Electrical Contractors and Other Wiring Installation Contractors	18	111
335999	All Other Miscellaneous Electrical Equipment and Component Manufacturing	18	93
621999	All Other Miscellaneous Ambulatory Health Care Services	17	29
332919	Other Metal Valve and Pipe Fitting Manufacturing	17	42
333914	Measuring, Dispensing, and Other Pumping Equipment Manufacturing	17	30
311611	Animal (except Poultry) Slaughtering	16	199
493190	Other Warehousing and Storage	16	73
622110	General Medical and Surgical Hospitals	16	244
332510	Hardware Manufacturing	16	50
524114	Direct Health and Medical Insurance Carriers	15	126
561320	Temporary Help Services	15	76
541370	Surveying and Mapping (except Geophysical) Services	15	111
336211	Motor Vehicle Body Manufacturing	15	130
325413	In-Vitro Diagnostic Substance Manufacturing	15	27
221112	Fossil Fuel Electric Power Generation	15	113
335312	Motor and Generator Manufacturing	15	42
221310	Water Supply and Irrigation Systems	15	25
335931	Current-Carrying Wiring Device Manufacturing	15	28
541199	All Other Legal Services	14	157
541613	Marketing Consulting Services	14	29
513210	Software Publishers	14	20
333611	Turbine and Turbine Generator Set Units Manufacturing	14	40
238220	Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning Contractors	14	16
315210	Cut and Sew Apparel Contractors	13	58
541930	Translation and Interpretation Services	13	26
561990	All Other Support Services	13	33
335311	Power, Distribution, and Specialty Transformer Manufacturing	13	33
561730	Landscaping Services	13	34
541810	Advertising Agencies	12	125
334510	Electromedical and Electrotherapeutic Apparatus Manufacturing	12	241
311615	Poultry Processing	12	215
541219	Other Accounting Services	12	67
311710	Seafood Product Preparation and Packaging	12	59
237120	Oil and Gas Pipeline and Related Structures Construction	12	30
339999	All Other Miscellaneous Manufacturing	12	60
221210	Natural Gas Distribution	12	58
332991	Ball and Roller Bearing Manufacturing	12	51
524292	Pharmacy Benefit Management and Other Third Party Administration of Insurance and Pension Funds	11	53
541211	Offices of Certified Public Accountants	11	132
332999	All Other Miscellaneous Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing	11	35
493110	General Warehousing and Storage	11	45
315990	Apparel Accessories and Other Apparel Manufacturing	11	51
311513	Cheese Manufacturing	11	164
333996	Fluid Power Pump and Motor Manufacturing	11	20
325414	Biological Product (except Diagnostic) Manufacturing	10	41
488510	Freight Transportation Arrangement	10	70
333310	Commercial and Service Industry Machinery Manufacturing	10	17
314999	All Other Miscellaneous Textile Product Mills	10	79
336390	Other Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturing	10	25
333998	All Other Miscellaneous General Purpose Machinery Manufacturing	10	15
332992	Small Arms Ammunition Manufacturing	9	49
481211	Nonscheduled Chartered Passenger Air Transportation	9	76
221118	Other Electric Power Generation	9	49
238910	Site Preparation Contractors	9	31
237130	Power and Communication Line and Related Structures Construction	9	11
621111	Offices of Physicians (except Mental Health Specialists)	8	86
481212	Nonscheduled Chartered Freight Air Transportation	8	106
522390	Other Activities Related to Credit Intermediation	8	21
325998	All Other Miscellaneous Chemical Product and Preparation Manufacturing	8	49
115310	Support Activities for Forestry	8	18
541910	Marketing Research and Public Opinion Polling	8	37
561110	Office Administrative Services	8	12
336612	Boat Building	8	18
333612	Speed Changer, Industrial High-Speed Drive, and Gear Manufacturing	8	9
333415	Air-Conditioning and Warm Air Heating Equipment and Commercial and Industrial Refrigeration Equipment Manufacturing	8	27
238290	Other Building Equipment Contractors	8	15
333613	Mechanical Power Transmission Equipment Manufacturing	8	17
337214	Office Furniture (except Wood) Manufacturing	8	36
333924	Industrial Truck, Tractor, Trailer, and Stacker Machinery Manufacturing	8	21
334418	Printed Circuit Assembly (Electronic Assembly) Manufacturing	8	16
236116	New Multifamily Housing Construction (except For-Sale Builders)	8	10
813920	Professional Organizations	8	12
332912	Fluid Power Valve and Hose Fitting Manufacturing	8	14
624230	Emergency and Other Relief Services	7	11
811111	General Automotive Repair	7	32
517112	Wireless Telecommunications Carriers (except Satellite)	7	57
624190	Other Individual and Family Services	7	15
562211	Hazardous Waste Treatment and Disposal	7	10
221320	Sewage Treatment Facilities	7	15
314910	Textile Bag and Canvas Mills	7	67
336999	All Other Transportation Equipment Manufacturing	7	14
326211	Tire Manufacturing (except Retreading)	7	50
334512	Automatic Environmental Control Manufacturing for Residential, Commercial, and Appliance Use	7	8
541110	Offices of Lawyers	7	14
336350	Motor Vehicle Transmission and Power Train Parts Manufacturing	7	19
611420	Computer Training	7	29
561450	Credit Bureaus	6	23
493120	Refrigerated Warehousing and Storage	6	7
541360	Geophysical Surveying and Mapping Services	6	122
488320	Marine Cargo Handling	6	49
522320	Financial Transactions Processing, Reserve, and Clearinghouse Activities	6	12
335910	Battery Manufacturing	6	36
311824	Dry Pasta, Dough, and Flour Mixes Manufacturing from Purchased Flour	6	19
541320	Landscape Architectural Services	6	19
311411	Frozen Fruit, Juice, and Vegetable Manufacturing	6	21
311511	Fluid Milk Manufacturing	6	27
336310	Motor Vehicle Gasoline Engine and Engine Parts Manufacturing	6	8
332911	Industrial Valve Manufacturing	6	9
492110	Couriers and Express Delivery Services	5	192
517111	Wired Telecommunications Carriers	5	15
611699	All Other Miscellaneous Schools and Instruction	5	17
621910	Ambulance Services	5	67
561611	Investigation and Personal Background Check Services	5	8
488390	Other Support Activities for Water Transportation	5	88
334118	Computer Terminal and Other Computer Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing	5	10
332439	Other Metal Container Manufacturing	5	77
524298	All Other Insurance Related Activities	5	6
311911	Roasted Nuts and Peanut Butter Manufacturing	5	18
316210	Footwear Manufacturing	5	23
334416	Capacitor, Resistor, Coil, Transformer, and Other Inductor Manufacturing	5	9
333517	Machine Tool Manufacturing	5	13
238990	All Other Specialty Trade Contractors	5	11
326299	All Other Rubber Product Manufacturing	5	14
211130	Natural Gas Extraction	5	14
532420	Office Machinery and Equipment Rental and Leasing	5	12

Primes also post subcontracting solicitations on SBA's SubNet.

Frequently asked questions

Where can I find subcontractor bid opportunities?

Start with the primes that already hold federal contracts in your NAICS code and have small business subcontracting plans: they have goals to meet and need small subcontractors. Register in their supplier portals, contact their small business liaison officers, and watch SBA's SubNet, where primes post subcontracting solicitations.

Which prime contractors have to subcontract to small businesses?

Large businesses that win federal contracts over $900,000 ($2 million for construction) with subcontracting possibilities must have a small business subcontracting plan under FAR 19.702. The plan sets percentage goals for small, small disadvantaged, women-owned, HUBZone and service-disabled veteran-owned subcontractors, and the prime reports progress in eSRS.

Is subcontracting a good first step into government contracting?

Often, yes. A subcontract builds federal past performance without bidding as a prime, and the prime handles the agency relationship. Many small businesses win their first prime contract after a few subcontracts in the same NAICS code.

Source: SBA's Directory of Federal Government Prime Contractors with Subcontracting Plans (from FPDS) and USAspending.gov subaward reports. Contact names are never shown.