The FBI spends approximately $3 billion annually on goods and services. That budget funds everything from cybersecurity infrastructure to physical security, laboratory testing, and professional services. Diverse small businesses can compete for a meaningful share of that spend. This guide explains where the money goes, how to get registered, and what actually moves the needle on your first award.
What the FBI buys
The FBI's mission drives its procurement profile. Counterterrorism, criminal investigations, cybercrime, and domestic intelligence operations require a wide range of vendor support.
The largest spend categories include information technology services and systems, physical and electronic security, laboratory and forensic analysis services, professional and management consulting, facilities maintenance, and training services. The FBI also spends heavily on telecommunications equipment and specialized surveillance technology, though those categories involve higher clearance thresholds that limit small business access at the outset.
For diverse small businesses entering the vendor ecosystem, the most accessible entry points are IT services, administrative support, facilities services, background investigation support, and professional training.
The three NAICS codes that generate the most accessible volume for small businesses are:
- 541519 (Other Computer Related Services): Covers IT support, software integration, network management, and related technical services
- 561621 (Security Systems Services): Covers installation, monitoring, and maintenance of electronic security systems
- 541380 (Testing Laboratories): Covers forensic and analytical laboratory services
Contract sizes vary widely. Task orders under existing GWAC vehicles can run from $500,000 to several million dollars. Standalone small business set-asides at the FBI typically range from $150,000 to $5 million. Some multi-year service contracts extend well above $10 million, but those are less common as first-award vehicles for new vendors.
Where to find opportunities
The FBI publishes contract opportunities on SAM.gov, the federal government's centralized procurement platform. You can search by agency (Department of Justice, which is the FBI's parent department) or by NAICS code to find active solicitations and pre-solicitation notices.
Set up saved searches on SAM.gov for your primary NAICS codes with "Department of Justice" as the agency filter. The FBI also posts opportunities under its own contracting division separately from DOJ-wide solicitations, so run both filters.
USA Spending (usaspending.gov) is equally useful for market intelligence. Search the FBI's historical awards to see which vendors hold active contracts, what the contract vehicles are, what ceiling amounts look like, and when existing contracts expire. Expiring contracts represent your best window to compete, since the agency will need to re-compete or issue a new solicitation.
The FBI also uses several government-wide acquisition contracts (GWACs) including GSA Schedules and category-specific vehicles. If your business holds a GSA Schedule contract, you are already positioned to receive FBI task orders without competing through a new full solicitation process. Getting on a Schedule is worth prioritizing if you are not already there.
Registration requirements
Before the FBI can award you a contract, you need to complete several registrations.
Start with SAM.gov. Your SAM registration must be active and your profile complete. SAM registration is free and renews annually. Make sure your NAICS codes, business size certifications, and socioeconomic designations are accurate.
If you hold a federal small business certification such as 8(a) Business Development Program, Woman-Owned Small Business (WOSB), Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), or HUBZone, those designations must be verified in SAM.gov and the corresponding SBA databases. FBI contracting officers can use these designations to set aside awards to your business category without a full and open competition.
SDVOSB certification carries particular weight at the FBI. The Department of Justice has historically met or exceeded the 3% SDVOSB statutory goal, and the FBI contributes to that through its own set-asides and evaluation preferences.
For contracts involving access to FBI facilities or systems, a security clearance is often required. This is a longer-term process that you should start as early as possible. At the entry level, Secret clearance is the most common threshold. Your company does not need existing clearances to compete for many service contracts, but you will typically need to obtain them as a condition of performance after award.
The small business office
The FBI's Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) is the primary contact point for small businesses seeking to enter the vendor ecosystem. The OSDBU advocates for small business participation in FBI procurements, coordinates with contracting officers on set-aside determinations, and conducts outreach to help vendors understand upcoming opportunities.
You can reach the FBI's OSDBU through the agency's official website at fbi.gov. The contracting and acquisitions section of the site lists current small business liaisons and contact information. Do not rely on third-party directories for contact details since personnel and email addresses change; go directly to the agency website.
The Department of Justice also operates an OSDBU at the department level that covers the FBI. DOJ's OSDBU (justice.gov/jmd/small-and-disadvantaged-business-utilization) publishes a forecast of upcoming contracting opportunities and hosts vendor outreach events. Introducing yourself at a DOJ procurement conference is one of the fastest ways to get a named contact inside the acquisition community.
Set-aside and diversity opportunities
The FBI sets aside contracts for small businesses across multiple socioeconomic categories. The most actively used categories are 8(a) sole-source and competitive awards, SDVOSB set-asides, WOSB set-asides in industries where women are underrepresented, and HUBZone set-asides for businesses located in historically underutilized zones.
The FBI also participates in the SBA's mentor-protégé program. Pairing with a large prime contractor through an approved mentor-protégé agreement can open doors to subcontracting roles on large FBI contracts before you compete as a prime.
Subcontracting is not a consolation prize. Many FBI small business vendors built their past performance records entirely through subcontracts before winning a prime award. DOJ's large prime contractors are required to maintain small business subcontracting plans, which means they are actively looking for qualified small and diverse subcontractors. Contact large DOJ contractors directly and ask about subcontracting opportunities on active FBI programs.
One practical tip for your first contract
Request a pre-solicitation meeting with the FBI's OSDBU before any opportunity you plan to pursue. These meetings are standard practice in federal contracting and they are free. During the meeting, you can confirm that your NAICS codes align with the opportunity, ask about the evaluation criteria the contracting officer is likely to use, and understand whether the acquisition is trending toward a set-aside or full-and-open competition.
Contracting officers have more discretion than most vendors realize when it comes to recommending set-asides. An early conversation, backed by a credible capability brief, can influence how a requirement gets packaged before the solicitation ever posts publicly. Show up with a one-page capability statement that lists your certifications, relevant past performance, NAICS codes, and cage code. Keep it factual and specific. That is what the acquisition team will remember when the solicitation is being drafted.
