Landscaping Government Contracts
Government landscaping contracts cover grounds maintenance, mowing, tree care, irrigation, and snow removal at federal installations, parks, cemeteries, and state facilities. Solicited under NAICS 561730 with an $9.5M size standard, they are accessible first contracts for small firms: recurring scopes, local performance, and frequent small-business set-asides. Agencies evaluate equipment capacity, crew scheduling, and seasonal surge ability.
Federal landscaping spending
Since Oct 2024, federal agencies recorded 6,802 federal landscaping and grounds maintenance contracts nationwide, obligating $1.2B. The largest buyer was the Department of Defense ($679.9M).
Top buying agencies
- 1. Department of Defense$679.9M
- 2. Department of Veterans Affairs$221.3M
- 3. Department of State$113.6M
- 4. Department of the Interior$55.8M
- 5. Department of Homeland Security$22.4M
Recent awards
- Forest Service · 2027-05-01
Tell city dam maintenance for hoosier national forest
- Department of the Air Force · 2027-01-28
Grounds maintenance services for incirlik ab and associated geographically separated units (gsus) 1-year base period + four 1-year…
- Department of Veterans Affairs · 2026-11-01
Task order
- Department of Veterans Affairs · 2026-11-01
Exercise op 3
- National Park Service · 2026-11-01
Grte granite and trailhead snow plowing and removal services
- Lander Group LLC$27KDepartment of Veterans Affairs · 2026-10-19
Western new york nc grounds maintenance to3 requesting october to for mowing and trimming saf fy27
Source: USASpending.gov contract award data, refreshed weekly.Search awards
Common requirements in landscaping and grounds maintenance contracts
- Grounds maintenance schedule meeting PWS frequencies (mowing heights, edging, fertilization)
- Pesticide/herbicide applicator licenses for chemical applications
- Equipment list adequate for the acreage and surfaces specified
- Service Contract Act wage compliance for laborers
- Snow/storm response times where included in scope
- Disposal and composting practices per facility rules
Documents you'll need ready
- Capability statement with grounds maintenance references
- Active SAM.gov registration under NAICS 561720/561730
- State pesticide applicator licenses
- Equipment inventory list
- Insurance certificates
- Unit pricing per the schedule (per-acre, per-cut, or monthly)
Proposal checklist
- Walk the site — acreage on paper rarely matches conditions on the ground
- Price seasonal variation realistically across base and option years
- Document crew size and weekly schedule per area
- Address irrigation system responsibilities explicitly
- Include licensed applicator details for chemical work
- Confirm disposal site arrangements and costs
Who buys landscaping
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Frequently asked questions
Are landscaping contracts good first government contracts?
Yes. Scopes are familiar, performance is local, and set-asides are common. The National Cemetery Administration and military bases regularly award grounds contracts to first-time federal contractors.
How is government landscaping priced?
Usually firm-fixed-price monthly or per-service-event rates against defined frequencies, with option years. Build SCA wages, equipment depreciation, and fuel into the rate — change orders are hard to get for underpriced base work.
Do I need pesticide licenses?
If the PWS includes chemical application (weed control, fertilization, pest treatment), yes — state applicator licenses are typically required at proposal time or before performance. Subcontracting chemical work is an alternative.