Department of the Navy Government Contracts — Contractor Guide
Researched by the BidStride Research Team
The Department of the Navy includes the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. It is one of the largest defense buyers with major procurement organizations including Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA), Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR), Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR/NAVWAR), and Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC). Navy contracting concentrates on ship systems, aircraft, IT, and base facilities.
Department of the Navy awards approximately $100B+ in contracts annually with a 23% small business contracting goal. Typical contract types used include IDIQ, FFP, Cost-Plus-CPFF, T&M, UCA. All DON solicitations above the simplified acquisition threshold are posted on SAM.gov.
$100B+
23%
of prime contract dollars
Key Procurement Offices
Department of the Navy contracting is distributed across these offices and commands. Target your business development toward the offices most aligned with your capabilities, and build relationships before solicitations are released.
- Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA)
- Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR)
- Naval Information Warfare Systems Command (NAVWAR)
- Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC)
- Marine Corps Systems Command (MARCORSYSCOM)
Top NAICS Codes — DON Contracting
These NAICS codes appear most frequently in Department of the Navy solicitations. Ensure your SAM.gov registration includes the codes matching your services.
Small Business Goals — DON
Department of the Navy has a statutory small business prime contracting goal of 23% of annual contract dollars. This applies across all socioeconomic categories including 8(a), HUBZone, WOSB, and SDVOSB.
Ensure your certifications are current on SAM.gov to qualify for set-aside competitions. Contracting officers are required by law to first consider whether requirements can be met by small businesses before opening competition to all offerors.
Key Regulations — DON Contracts
Contractors bidding on Department of the Navy contracts should understand these regulations and clauses. Review them before submitting any proposal.
Always verify applicable clauses in the actual solicitation. Clause applicability depends on contract type, value, and specific program requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions — DON Contracting
Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) is responsible for ships, submarines, and shipboard weapons systems. They buy ship maintenance and modernization services, engineering support, electronic systems, and research. NAVSEA has a small business office that publishes forecast data and hosts industry outreach events. Register on SAM.gov, attend NAVSEA industry days, and consider teaming with established shipbuilders as a subcontractor to build past performance.
Naval Information Warfare Systems Command (NAVWAR, formerly SPAWAR) is responsible for Navy command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (C4ISR) systems. They buy cybersecurity services, software development, network engineering, and cloud solutions. NAVWAR frequently uses GSA IT vehicles including SEWP and 8(a) STARS for task orders.
Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC) manages construction, public works, and facilities management for Navy and Marine Corps installations worldwide. NAVFAC uses Seaport-NxG for architecture and engineering services. Construction uses the standard sealed-bid process for design-bid-build and best value for design-build. NAVFAC small business offices provide assistance with market research and set-aside determinations.
Marine Corps Systems Command acquires ground combat equipment, logistics systems, and supporting technology for the Marine Corps. They are separate from Navy contracting organizations and have their own small business office in Quantico, Virginia. MARCORSYSCOM frequently sets aside procurements for small businesses and uses GSA schedule vehicles for commercial off-the-shelf technology.
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