COVID-19 Federal Contract Awards: An Overview

During these unprecedented times, the U.S. Federal Government has stayed in action, consistently making federal contract awards despite the cratering economy courtesy of COVID-19. As of September 22, 2020, over $27 billion in contracts related to the pandemic have been awarded. Here's a comprehensive breakdown.

Departments Topmost in COVID-19 Contract awards

Amid uncertain times, several departments have come on top in terms of contract awards:

• Health and Human Services (HHS): $11.99 billion
• Department of Defense (DoD): $3.48 billion
• Department of Veterans Affairs (VA): $2.71 billion
• Other departments including Agriculture, Homeland Security, Small Business Administration, amongst others.

Top Contract Agencies

Notably, certain agencies have been at the forefront of these contract awards:

1. Office of Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response: $8.34 billion
2. Various other agencies including VA, Agricultural Marketing Service, FEMA, National Institutes of Health, and others

Top NAICS Codes

The nature of contracts awarded is diverse, spanning across multiple sectors.

• Medical Equipment & Supplies Wholesalers: $3.63 billion
• Miscellaneous Food Manufacturing: $1.61 billion
• Administrative Management & Consulting Services: $1.56 billion
• Surgical & Medical Instrument Manufacturing: $1.46 billion
• Other codes including R&D in Biotechnology, Industrial Building Construction, Pharmaceutical Manufacturing, among others.

Top Product Services Codes

Medical equipment and hospital care seem to dominate the procurement of services and products during the pandemic.

• Medical & Surgical Instruments, Supplies: $6.24 billion.
• Fruits & Vegetables, Biomedical R&D, Hospital Clothing, Professional Support, Laboratory Equipment: these are also among the high-ranking product services.

Business Contribution by Size

Both small and other-than-small businesses have contributed immensely to the fight against the pandemic.

• Small Business: $7.15 billion.
• Other Than Small Business: $19.86 billion.

The role of GSA Schedules

Over $988 million was awarded through GSA Schedules, with IT Equipment & Services taking the lead. This underlines the key role GSA Schedules play in rapid procurement.

Key Insights

These figures bring to light some key insights:

1. Health-related sectors, including medical equipment and pharmaceuticals, are leading in federal spending.
2. A significant chunk of the awards go to small businesses to support them during this crisis.
3. Spending covers a broad range of services and products, indicating the diverse needs of pandemic response.

Concluding Thoughts

The U.S. federal government's response to COVID-19 underscores the pivotal role of various industries and the significant opportunities for businesses, especially in healthcare and related services. The data reflects the government's extensive efforts to combat the pandemic and its economic impact, focusing on a range of essential services and supplies. With advice from a former GSA Schedule Reviewer, we offer the best GSA Schedule Consulting services.