Government Landscaping Contracts

Government landscaping contracts pay businesses to maintain public grounds, from mowing and trimming to seasonal cleanup and irrigation work. You can find opportunities through federal, state, and local purchasing offices, then bid when the work, location, and requirements fit your company.

For federal work, search SAM.gov Contract Opportunities and review each solicitation before deciding whether to bid. State and local buyers may post work on their own procurement sites.

What government landscaping contracts cover

A grounds maintenance contract can cover routine mowing, edging, pruning, leaf removal, planting, weed control, irrigation upkeep, and litter pickup. The actual scope depends on the property and solicitation. Some opportunities cover one site, while others include multiple locations, scheduled visits, or seasonal tasks.

Read the scope carefully before treating a posting as a match. Check which areas are included, how often crews must visit, what equipment and materials you must supply, and whether the contract includes work such as tree care, snow removal, or pesticide application. These details can change the labor, equipment, and licenses you need.

• Federal buildings, military sites, parks, and other agency properties
• Schools, public housing, transportation facilities, and municipal grounds
• One-time landscaping projects or recurring grounds maintenance contracts

Find landscaping bids

Federal contract opportunities are posted on SAM.gov under Contract Opportunities. Search using landscaping terms and NAICS code 561730, Landscaping Services. You can also start with landscaping bids by NAICS code. Review the notice type, location, due date, set-aside information, and attachments. Check for amendments because buyers may change requirements or deadlines.

State and local agencies often use separate purchasing systems. Search the procurement pages for cities, counties, school districts, parks departments, and state agencies in the areas you can serve. For an overview of federal spending by location, use federal contract spending by state. Past federal awards are searchable on USAspending.gov, which can help you see which agencies and contractors have received similar work.

Use past awards as research, not as proof that a new opportunity will be awarded the same way. You can also review federal agencies and what they buy and federal contract spending by industry to identify agencies and markets worth monitoring.

Choose your NAICS code and check eligibility

NAICS codes are six-digit industry codes. Landscaping Services is commonly classified under NAICS 561730, but follow the code and instructions in the specific solicitation. A buyer may select a code based on the main purpose of the work. Use the NAICS code lookup to research codes, and check the SBA's size standards at sba.gov if you need to confirm whether your business qualifies as small for a particular code.

Some opportunities are set aside for eligible small businesses or firms with a specific SBA certification. Read the notice to see whether a restriction applies and whether you meet its conditions. SBA certifications, including 8(a), HUBZone, WOSB and EDWOSB, VOSB, and SDVOSB, are applied for at no cost through MySBA Certifications. Do not claim a certification or status unless it applies to your business.

Read the solicitation before you price the work

The solicitation is the buyer's instruction set. Check the statement of work, property list, performance schedule, inspection standards, contract period, options, and required forms. Note whether the buyer expects a site visit, and follow the instructions for requesting access or submitting questions. If the buyer issues an amendment, read it and include any required acknowledgment with your offer.

Confirm what the government supplies and what you must provide. The work may require specific equipment, approved products, disposal practices, background checks, safety procedures, or proof of insurance. Licensing rules vary by state and type of work. If pesticide application, tree work, or another regulated service is included, verify applicable licensing and legal requirements before bidding.

If an instruction is unclear, use the solicitation's stated process for questions and send them before its deadline. Do not rely on assumptions about site conditions, visit frequency, or what counts as acceptable work. Your bid should respond to the written requirements.

Price grounds maintenance contracts carefully

Build your price from the work schedule and site conditions, not just the acreage. Estimate crew hours for each task and visit, then account for wages, payroll costs, equipment, fuel, maintenance, materials, disposal, travel between sites, supervision, and administrative work. Include the cost of meeting any safety, insurance, licensing, and reporting requirements in the solicitation.

Check how the buyer wants prices presented. A solicitation may request a price by location, task, visit, month, or contract period. Make sure your totals cover the full scope and any stated options. If the site visit is optional but available, use it to assess access, terrain, obstacles, and the condition of the grounds. Ask questions through the process in the solicitation when important details are missing.

Before submitting, check your calculations and confirm that the price covers the whole period and required service frequency. Do not submit a low number that depends on skipping tasks or assuming work will be reduced. For more on estimating a federal offer, see government contract pricing.

Prepare your business to submit a bid

For a federal prime contract, your business needs an active, complete SAM registration before bidding. Registration at SAM.gov is free. SAM assigns a free 12-character Unique Entity ID, which replaced the DUNS number in April 2022. US businesses receive a CAGE code during registration through the Defense Logistics Agency. A UEI by itself does not replace the full SAM registration required to bid on federal prime contracts.

SAM registration must be renewed every 365 days to stay active. Start early enough to resolve errors and review the solicitation's submission instructions. Federal Service Desk help for SAM.gov is available at fsd.gov. You do not need to pay a third-party registration service.

Prepare a concise capability statement, relevant project references, staff and equipment information, and any required licenses or insurance documents. If you have not held a government contract, describe comparable commercial, nonprofit, or public work accurately. Do not present private work as a government award.

Submit a complete offer and build experience

Follow the submission method, file format, and deadline stated in the solicitation. Include every required form, price schedule, technical response, and amendment acknowledgment. Allow time to confirm that the buyer received the offer when the instructions provide a confirmation method. Keep a copy of what you submitted and note any questions or changes for future bids.

If you are new to federal prime contracts, look for smaller opportunities that fit your crew capacity or pursue subcontracting with an established grounds contractor. A subcontract can help you learn site procedures and reporting expectations, but review its terms, payment process, insurance requirements, and scope before agreeing. Free help is available from APEX Accelerators, Small Business Development Centers, and SCORE mentors.

Track the result of each bid and update your estimates based on actual labor and operating costs. Federal awards are made under the solicitation's evaluation rules, so a low price alone may not win. Use each response to improve your understanding of the buyer's requirements and the work you can perform reliably.

Frequently asked questions

How do I get my first government contract with no experience?

Start with work you can perform well and document comparable commercial or community projects honestly. Check smaller local opportunities or subcontracting roles, and prepare references, a capability statement, and required licenses. For federal prime contracts, complete your free SAM registration before bidding.

How do I find government contracts to bid on?

Search SAM.gov Contract Opportunities for federal work using landscaping terms and NAICS 561730, then review the full solicitation and amendments. Check state and local purchasing portals for nearby work, since those buyers may post opportunities separately. USAspending.gov can help you research past federal awards.

How do government contractors get paid?

Payment terms and procedures are set by the contract. Follow its instructions for submitting invoices and supporting records, and meet any inspection or acceptance requirements. Confirm the payment schedule and invoice process before you accept an award.

What are landscaping bids evaluated on?

The solicitation explains the evaluation factors, which may include price, technical approach, past performance, or compliance with stated requirements. Read those factors and address each one in your offer. A low price does not guarantee an award.

What should I include in a lawn care government contracts bid?

Include every item the solicitation requests, such as a completed price schedule, work approach, required forms, references, and proof of applicable licenses or insurance. Explain how your crew will meet the required schedule and service standards. Check amendments and submission instructions before sending the offer.