Manufacturers & federal contracts in Arkansas
In FY2024, federal agencies awarded about $415 million in manufacturing contracts to firms in Arkansas — 39th-most among the states, roughly 54% of all federal contracting in the state.
Figures: USAspending.gov, prime federal contract awards under NAICS 31, 32, 33, FY2024. Historical award totals — how much has flowed, not a promise of future work.
Register under the right codes
For manufacturing work, the relevant NAICS codes are generally 31, 32, 33. Use the ones that match what you actually do:
- Federal: register on SAM.gov and add those NAICS codes to your profile.
- Arkansas state & local: register on ARBuy — https://arbuy.arkansas.gov/bso/ — and select the matching commodity/NAICS codes.
Arkansas is migrating to a new system — confirm the current portal on the state procurement site before registering.
Confirm the exact codes and current steps with the agency, and check the address ends in .gov before entering business information. Process guidance, not legal or procurement advice.
Find manufacturing bids in Arkansas
- Federal: filter Contract Opportunities on SAM.gov by NAICS 31, 32, 33 and place of performance.
- State: set up notifications on ARBuy for those codes so Arkansas solicitations reach you.
- Local: check county, city, and school-district procurement pages for manufacturing work.
Small-business set-asides
A share of Arkansas's federal contracting is reserved for small businesses through set-aside programs (small business, 8(a), HUBZone, WOSB, SDVOSB). If your firm qualifies, these can be the most winnable manufacturing opportunities.
Eligibility rules are specific and change. Check SBA.gov and verify your eligibility before relying on any set-aside. Educational, not a determination that you qualify.
Be bid-ready
A clear, manufacturing-specific capability statement and current registrations make a small firm look established next to bigger competitors. That's what BidReady Starter™ helps you build.
Get bid-ready, faster
BidReady Starter™ gives small contractors a capabilities-ready bid presentation and a registration roadmap — so you look established when the opportunity comes.
FAQ
In FY2024 about $415 million in federal prime contracts went to manufacturing firms in Arkansas (USAspending.gov), roughly 54% of the state's federal contracting. These are historical totals — a measure of money flow, not a guarantee of future work.
Manufacturers generally fall under NAICS 31, 32, 33. Select the codes that match your specific work when you register on SAM.gov and ARBuy, so agencies and bid systems match you to relevant solicitations. Confirm the exact codes for your business.