NAICS 236220: Commercial and Institutional Building Construction

Small business size standard: $45 million average annual receipts

Covers construction (new work, additions, alterations, renovation) of commercial and institutional buildings — offices, schools, hospitals, and government facilities. The primary code for federal building construction and renovation.

What work falls under NAICS 236220

  • New construction of government/institutional buildings
  • Renovation and alteration (R&A) projects
  • Design-build of commercial-type facilities
  • Tenant improvement and building repair projects

How to win contracts under this code

  1. Register in SAM.gov with 236220 as a primary or secondary NAICS code, and confirm you're under the size standard for set-aside eligibility.
  2. Set a SAM.gov saved search for NAICS 236220 filtered to your set-aside types and places of performance.
  3. Build a capability statement that leads with this code and your most relevant past performance.
  4. For each solicitation, build a compliance matrix before writing — most losses under this code are compliance losses.

Bidding on a NAICS 236220 solicitation?

Generate your capability statement and compliance matrix free — no account required.

Frequently asked questions

What bonds are required under 236220 federal contracts?

The Miller Act requires 100% performance and payment bonds on federal construction over $150K, plus bid guarantees on sealed bids. Your surety capacity effectively sets your bidding ceiling.

Do federal construction contracts pay prevailing wages?

Yes — Davis-Bacon wage determinations apply over $2,000, with certified weekly payroll submissions. State public works typically have their own prevailing wage laws.

Full industry guide: Construction Government Contractsincluding state-by-state pages for Texas, California, Florida, and more.