FedFlash: The Engines Are Humming Again
A deep dive into the post-holiday rebound on SAM.gov, where activity is up nearly 32% this week.
Welcome back to FedFlash! After the sleepy holiday lull we reported on last week, the federal government has come roaring back to life. With
Department & Agency Highlights
Total activity across the board jumped to 3,805 opportunities this week, a sharp contrast to our rolling three-month average of roughly 2,886 per week. The DoD led the charge with 3,074 postings, representing a 28% increase over their typical weekly volume. However, the real "movers and shakers" were found in the civilian agencies which saw triple-digit percentage growth compared to their recent baselines.
Notable agency performances include:
- The USDA was a major standout, posting 53 opportunities—more than triple their typical weekly volume.
- The Interior Department also more than doubled its activity with 63 new starts.
- The State Department maintained the momentum with 56 solicitations, double their usual output.
- The DHS nearly doubled its baseline with 109 opportunities hitting the wire.
- The VA remained a steady force with 245 postings.
SBA Set-Aside Trends
For SBA-registered businesses, the news is even better. Set-aside volume didn't just recover; it thrived. Small business set-asides accounted for a huge portion of the week's growth, proving that the government is leaning heavily on smaller partners to kick off the new year.
- Total Small Business Set-Asides reached 1,347 postings, a 44% increase over the baseline.
- SDVOSB (Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business) opportunities rose to 164, up 30% from the typical average.
- HUBZone businesses saw a massive windfall with 79 solicitations—over six times the usual weekly volume!
- 8(a) Set-Asides saw a healthy bump to 11 postings, while 8(a) Sole Source opportunities doubled their usual rate.
The only segment that lagged slightly was the WOSB (Women-Owned Small Business) program, which saw 35 postings. This suggests a temporary shift in the mix of requirements, but with overall volume rising, we expect these numbers to normalize quickly. If you want to track these specific set-asides all day, every day, SAMClerk.com provides the granular alerts you need to never miss a specialized opportunity.
NAICS Code Movers and Shakers
The manufacturing sector continues to dominate, but we are seeing a shift toward specialized hardware and heavy engineering as we move further into January.
- 336413 (Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing) remains the volume leader with 249 postings.
- 332510 (Hardware Manufacturing) exploded with 158 opportunities, a 2.5x increase over the baseline.
- 332911 (Industrial Valve Manufacturing) saw 142 new solicitations.
- 334290 (Other Communications Equipment Manufacturing) was a top "mover" with 26 postings, nearly 5x its usual activity.
- 237990 (Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction) surged with 34 opportunities, over 4x the baseline.
It is also worth noting that 531120 (Lessors of Nonresidential Buildings) saw a significant jump with 29 opportunities, signaling a busy week for federal real estate and leasing activity.
The Weekly Wrap-Up
This past week was a textbook "rebound" week. With total volume up significantly and agencies like the USDA and Interior showing massive growth, the post-holiday sluggishness is officially over. The surge in HUBZone and Total Small Business set-asides is a particularly loud call to action for SBA-certified firms to get their proposals in order.
As we look ahead, the momentum seems to be building. Whether you are in aerospace manufacturing, construction, or professional services, the opportunities are currently outpacing the three-month average. Don't let this wave pass you by—visit SAMClerk.com to stay ahead of the curve and turn these trends into contract wins.
See you next Monday for the next FedFlash!
Stop searching. Start Bidding.
Best,
D.J.
Founder, SAMClerk.com
Jan 12, 2026