FedFlash: March Momentum and the Civilian Surge
Federal opportunities climb 34% above baseline as the USDA and Energy Department break records in late March.
Welcome to the March 23rd edition of FedFlash. As we approach the final week of the second quarter, the federal marketplace is showing a remarkable sustained burst of activity. The week of March 16th through March 22nd saw a total of 5,556 new opportunities hit SAM.gov, significantly outpacing our rolling three-month average of 4,130. At SAMClerk.com, we are tracking a clear "Civilian Surge" where departments like Agriculture and Interior are matching the intensity of the defense sector as they prepare for spring and summer project starts. With no federal holidays to interrupt the flow, contracting officers were in full execution mode last week.
Department & Agency Highlights
The DoD remains the volume leader, contributing 3,983 opportunities—a 30% increase over their typical weekly baseline. However, the most explosive growth was found in the civilian sector, where several major departments more than doubled their standard weekly output.
Notable movers and shakers in the agency space include:
- The USDA was the standout performer, posting 211 opportunities—a staggering 2.4x increase over their recent weekly average.
- The Department of Energy saw a major spike with 74 new starts, nearly double its baseline.
- The Interior Department continued its high-growth streak with 203 postings, up 73% from the baseline.
- The VA stayed very active with 493 opportunities, maintaining its role as the second-largest buyer this month.
- The GSA and Treasury also showed strong upward movement, both exceeding their three-month averages by over 60%.
SBA Set-Aside Trends
For our SBA-registered friends, the end-of-quarter push is providing a wealth of restricted-competition work. We tracked over 2,400 opportunities tagged with specific set-asides last week, with particular growth in socioeconomic and localized programs.
- Total Small Business Set-Asides hit 1,889 postings, representing a 30% increase over the baseline.
- SDVOSB (Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business) opportunities reached 298, continuing a very robust performance this quarter.
- ISBEE (Indian Small Business Economic Enterprise) set-asides, primarily from the Interior, hit 38—nearly double the usual volume.
- 8(a) Set-Asides and 8(a) Sole Source actions both surged, with the competitive 8(a) category seeing 35 new starts.
- EDWOSB (Economically Disadvantaged WOSB) opportunities saw a significant 2.6x jump with 6 specific postings.
While WOSB (Women-Owned Small Business) solicitations stood at 39, matching their recent average, the massive growth in 8(a) and ISBEE programs suggests that agencies are leaning into specialized certifications right now. To stay on top of these high-probability targets, make sure to check your custom alerts at SAMClerk.com.
NAICS Code Movers and Shakers
The sectors seeing the most action this week include a mix of environmental support, real estate, and heavy manufacturing.
- 336413 (Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing) led in total volume with 314 postings.
- 115310 (Support Activities for Forestry) was the breakout mover of the week, surging to 52 postings—over 6x its weekly baseline!
- 531120 (Lessors of Nonresidential Buildings) saw a significant 2.5x spike with 60 opportunities.
- 238220 (Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning Contractors) more than doubled its baseline with 108 postings.
- 236220 (Commercial and Institutional Building Construction) remained a top-tier category with 192 opportunities.
The Weekly Wrap-Up
In summary, the third week of March has delivered a substantial 34% increase in federal activity over the quarterly average. The massive 6x volume surge in forestry support 115310 and the 2.4x growth at the USDA highlight a seasonal shift toward environmental and rural infrastructure work. For small businesses, the nearly double volume in ISBEE and 8(a) Sole Source work represents a critical window of opportunity.
As we head into the final week of March, stay focused on these civilian agency surges. Whether you are in trade contracting 238220 or professional services, the volume of work is significantly higher than we've seen all winter. For the most precise data and a competitive edge in your bidding, make SAMClerk.com your 24/7 assistant.
Happy bidding, and we'll see you next Monday!
Stop searching. Start Bidding.
Best,
D.J.
Founder, SAMClerk.com
Mar 23, 2026