Research & Development Firms & federal contracts in Virginia
In FY2024, federal agencies awarded about $10.5 billion in R&D contracts to firms in Virginia — 2nd-most among the states, roughly 7.6% of all federal contracting in the state.
Figures: USAspending.gov, prime federal contract awards under NAICS 5417, FY2024. Historical award totals — how much has flowed, not a promise of future work.
Register under the right codes
For R&D work, the relevant NAICS codes are generally 5417. Use the ones that match what you actually do:
- Federal: register on SAM.gov and add those NAICS codes to your profile.
- Virginia state & local: register on eVA — https://eva.virginia.gov — and select the matching commodity/NAICS codes.
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 R&D bids in Virginia
- Federal: filter Contract Opportunities on SAM.gov by NAICS 5417 and place of performance.
- State: set up notifications on eVA for those codes so Virginia solicitations reach you.
- Local: check county, city, and school-district procurement pages for R&D work.
Small-business set-asides
A share of Virginia'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 R&D 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, R&D-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 $10.5 billion in federal prime contracts went to R&D firms in Virginia (USAspending.gov), roughly 7.6% of the state's federal contracting. These are historical totals — a measure of money flow, not a guarantee of future work.
Research & Development Firms generally fall under NAICS 5417. Select the codes that match your specific work when you register on SAM.gov and eVA, so agencies and bid systems match you to relevant solicitations. Confirm the exact codes for your business.