Security & Guard Companies & federal contracts in Pennsylvania
In FY2024, federal agencies awarded about $23 million in security services contracts to firms in Pennsylvania — 22nd-most among the states, roughly 0.1% of all federal contracting in the state.
Figures: USAspending.gov, prime federal contract awards under NAICS 5616, FY2024. Historical award totals — how much has flowed, not a promise of future work.
Register under the right codes
For security services work, the relevant NAICS codes are generally 5616. Use the ones that match what you actually do:
- Federal: register on SAM.gov and add those NAICS codes to your profile.
- Pennsylvania state & local: register on PA eMarketplace — https://www.emarketplace.state.pa.us/ — 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 security services bids in Pennsylvania
- Federal: filter Contract Opportunities on SAM.gov by NAICS 5616 and place of performance.
- State: set up notifications on PA eMarketplace for those codes so Pennsylvania solicitations reach you.
- Local: check county, city, and school-district procurement pages for security services work.
Small-business set-asides
A share of Pennsylvania'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 security services 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, security services-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 $23 million in federal prime contracts went to security services firms in Pennsylvania (USAspending.gov), roughly 0.1% of the state's federal contracting. These are historical totals — a measure of money flow, not a guarantee of future work.
Security & Guard Companies generally fall under NAICS 5616. Select the codes that match your specific work when you register on SAM.gov and PA eMarketplace, so agencies and bid systems match you to relevant solicitations. Confirm the exact codes for your business.