Small businesses won over $150 billion in federal contracts in FY2024 — but the distribution is highly concentrated. Certain counties are hotspots for federal contracting activity, offering significant opportunities for small businesses, women-owned enterprises, and disadvantaged business enterprises.
We identified the counties with the most fertile federal contracting environments based on total contract volume, contract diversity, and market accessibility for new entrants.
Top Counties for Federal Contract Opportunities
Counties with high contract volumes and accessible markets for small business competitors.
| Rank | County | State | Contract Volume | Per-Capita |
|---|
How to Compete for Federal Contracts
- Register on SAM.gov: System for Award Management registration is free and mandatory for all federal contractors.
- Explore SBA programs: The 8(a) Business Development Program, HUBZone certification, and Women-Owned Small Business programs offer set-aside contracts.
- Research agency spending: Use USASpending.gov to identify which agencies buy what in your target counties.
- Find teaming partners: Partner with established contractors to gain experience and past performance credentials.
- Monitor SAM.gov opportunities: Set up automated searches for contracts in your NAICS codes and target counties.
Methodology
Data from USASpending.gov, U.S. Department of the Treasury, FY2024. Counties were selected based on contract volume, per-capita spending, and population size to identify accessible markets with significant opportunity.
Data source: USASpending.gov, U.S. Department of the Treasury, FY2024 (Oct 2023 – Sep 2024). All figures are estimates based on federal obligation data and may not reflect current spending.