Government Landscaping Contracts

Search SAM.gov using NAICS code 561730 (Landscaping Services) and filter by place of performance to find opportunities near you. Use keyword searches for 'grounds maintenance,' 'lawn care,' 'mowing,' and 'tree trimming' to find solicitations that may use alternative NAICS codes. Sign up for SAM.gov email alerts. Also check state and local procurement portals — municipalities, counties, school districts, and state universities all award landscaping contracts and often have simpler bidding processes than federal agencies.

The basic requirements are: active SAM.gov registration with NAICS 561730, general liability insurance (minimum $1M per occurrence is typical), workers' compensation insurance, and a capable equipment fleet. For federal contracts with service workers, you must comply with the Service Contract Act wage determinations attached to the solicitation. Some facilities require pesticide applicator licenses if the scope includes chemical treatments. Bonding is generally not required for landscaping contracts.

Yes — many federal landscaping contracts are set aside for small businesses, particularly for individual facility contracts under $500,000. 8(a), HUBZone, WOSB, and SDVOSB certifications each create additional set-aside pools with fewer competitors. VA grounds maintenance contracts frequently carry SDVOSB set-aside preferences. HUBZone certification is especially valuable if your business address is in a qualified zone, as federal facilities in those areas are often in or near HUBZones.

It depends on geography. In northern states, grounds maintenance contracts are typically seasonal (April–November) with separate snow removal provisions. In southern and western states, year-round contracts are common. Many federal contracts include a base year plus four option years, providing revenue predictability. Snow removal may be a separate solicitation or an optional line item. Review the period of performance and seasonal scope carefully before pricing — mobilization and demobilization costs can significantly affect margins on short contracts.

Competition varies by geography and facility type. Small set-aside contracts in rural areas may attract only 2–5 bidders. Larger base-wide grounds maintenance contracts at major military installations can draw 10–20+ proposals. The key differentiator is pricing accuracy — contractors who understand SCA wage requirements and local equipment costs win by pricing precisely rather than padding for uncertainty. Building a track record of successful performance on small contracts leads to better evaluation scores and easier access to larger opportunities.