Federal buildings need constant electrical work, from lighting upgrades to backup power at hospitals. For a small electrical contractor, these jobs are well defined, paid reliably, and often set aside for small businesses.
What gets bought
- Backup power: generators, transfer switches, uninterruptible power supplies (UPS).
- Distribution upgrades: panels, switchgear, feeders, transformers.
- Lighting: LED retrofits, exterior and parking lot lighting, emergency lighting.
- Life safety: fire alarm systems, often bought together with sprinkler work.
- EV charging stations at federal facilities.
- Electrical repairs on bases, dams and visitor centers.
The trade's industry code is NAICS 238210 (electrical contractors and other wiring installation contractors).
What electrical solicitations require
- Licensing: work must meet state and local licensing rules for the job's location. Have the license number ready for your bid.
- Safety: electrical safe-work practices (NFPA 70E) and, on Army Corps jobs, its safety manual (EM 385-1-1). Expect to submit a safety plan.
- Outage planning: hospitals and operations centers can't just switch off. Expect to describe how you'll schedule shutdowns.
- Submittals: equipment data, shop drawings, test reports.
- Davis-Bacon wages for electricians and laborers (explained here).
Getting started
- Register in SAM.gov (free) under 238210.
- Start with lighting and repair jobs near you, under $150,000, before going after switchgear and generator projects.
- Get firm equipment quotes early; generators and switchgear have long lead times.
- Write a short outage and safety plan you can adapt for every bid.
- List similar jobs you've done, with a reference for each.
See every open federal electrical job, updated each morning.