Government Contractors NAICS 23, 54, 56, 61, 517, 5182, 7223
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Industry Summary
The 205,500 government contractors in the US sell a wide range of goods and services to agencies of the federal government, state governments, and local governments. Goods range from advanced military jets and weapon systems to office supplies. Services range from complex information systems design to janitorial services and food contracting services. Contract types vary from firm fixed price contracts to cost reimbursement or time and materials contracts.
Qualifying For Procurement Preferences
Contractors will be at a competitive disadvantage in winning federal government business if they do not qualify as a preferred vendor.
Cost Overruns Hurt Profits
Government contractors must possess strong project management skills to successfully manage large, complex projects and avoid cost overruns.
Recent Developments
Jan 6, 2026 - President Trump Seeks Faster Advanced Weapons Production
- President Trump said in early January that he wants the advanced weapons that the US relies on for military dominance produced more quickly. The president has made military production a priority and has used tariffs as leverage to try to bring back more manufacturing to the US, according to Daily Fly, a Pacific Empire Radio Corporation news site. The US General Accounting Office (GAO) reported in 2025 that "major weapon costs continue to rise as DOD [Department of Defense] struggles to deliver innovative tech quickly." The GAO noted that "DOD plans to invest nearly $2.4 trillion to develop and acquire its costliest weapon programs. But it continues to struggle with delivering timely and effective solutions to the warfighter."
- President Trump signed into law a continuing resolution that funds the federal government through January. Some funding could be restored within hours of the signing while restoration of other funding could take longer, according to the New York Times. The shutdown cost government contractors $12 billion through the end of October, according to the US Chamber of Commerce. Government funding expired on September 30 because lawmakers could not agree on a federal budget, even on a short-term basis. September usually brings a rush of year-end contract obligations but not this year, according to the Federal News Network. Contractors may still see project delays and wait on payments during the funding resolution process. Workers deemed essential by federal agencies worked without pay until Congress acted but contractors aren’t guaranteed back pay for work done during the shutdown, according to Max Stier, president and CEO of the nonprofit Partnership for Public Service. Congress must enact interim or full-year funding appropriations for agencies and programs whose continued operation depends on annual appropriation acts. When Congress fails to enact interim or full-year appropriations, it may enact short-term measures known as continuing resolutions to keep the government funded for a few days, weeks, or months at previous levels until final budgeting decisions are made.
- Several companies are now marketing their products directly to federal government agencies as a way to survive the US Department of Government Efficiency's (DOGE) cost-cutting demands, according to the Axios news service. DOGE is expected to lean more heavily on third-party security vendors to help dismantle longstanding information silos, according to Axios. Axonius, an Israeli cybersecurity startup, told Axios that it has started pitching its product to agencies as a tool that can help them avoid the most severe DOGE audits. Many vendors have increased their lobbying activity in recent months, particularly with Trump-aligned lobbying firms. At least nine security and consulting firms, including Zscaler, Accenture, and Booz Allen Hamilton, have registered with Ballard Partners into 2025, according to congressional lobbying disclosures.
- US government contractor industry sales are forecast to grow at a 3.42% compounded annual rate from 2025 to 2029, slower than the growth of the overall economy.
Industry Revenue
Government Contractors
Industry Structure
Industry size & Structure
The average government contractor generates about $5-6 million in annual revenue.
- The government contractor industry consists of about 205,500 firms that generate $1.1 trillion in annual revenue.
- The federal government is contracted to spend $557.7 billion in FY 2024 on contracts, or 10.4% of the total federal budget. State government contract spending on goods and services is slated at over $558.3 billion.
- There are over 41,600 defense contractors in the US.
- The largest government contractors are Lockheed-Martin, Northrup Grumman, Boeing, SAIC, Raytheon, General Dynamics, Hewlett-Packard, and Booz, Allen & Hamilton.
Industry Forecast
Industry Forecast
Government Contractors Industry Growth
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