NAICS Code Guide
Commercial and Institutional Building Construction
Construction · SBA Size Standard: $45M · ~35,000 registered entities
NAICS 236220 covers federal building construction — MILCON projects, federal courthouses, hospitals, labs, and other institutional buildings built for government clients.
About NAICS 236220
NAICS 236220 covers general contractors primarily responsible for constructing commercial and institutional buildings — offices, warehouses, military barracks, hospitals, laboratories, and federal courthouses. In federal contracting, this is the dominant construction code for military construction (MILCON) projects managed by Army Corps of Engineers, NAVFAC, and AFCEC. GSA Public Buildings Service also awards large building construction contracts under this code. CAGE codes are mandatory for all construction contractors receiving federal prime or subcontracts above the micropurchase threshold.
236220
NAICS Code
$45M
SBA Size Standard
35,000
Registered Entities
Applicable Set-Aside Programs
Companies that qualify under NAICS 236220 and hold applicable SBA certifications can compete for set-aside contracts reserved for these programs. Certifications are linked to your CAGE code record in SAM.gov.
Learn about set-aside programs →Top Federal Buyers Under NAICS 236220
These agencies award the most contract dollars under this NAICS code. See full award data on FedAtlas.com.
Military Construction (MILCON) Under NAICS 236220
MILCON projects — barracks, hangars, training facilities, operations centers — are among the largest federal construction awards. Key buyers:
- Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) — largest federal construction buyer
- NAVFAC — Navy and Marine Corps construction and facilities
- AFCEC — Air Force Civil Engineer Center
- GSA PBS — federal courthouses, office buildings, ports of entry
SBA Size Standard for NAICS 236220
The size standard is $45 million in average annual receipts — higher than most service codes, reflecting the capital-intensive nature of construction. Firms at or below $45M can compete for construction set-asides.
Look Up a NAICS 236220 Vendor
Decode any CAGE code to verify a vendor's primary NAICS code, SAM status, and certifications.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do construction subcontractors need CAGE codes?
Subcontractors receiving direct federal payments must have CAGE codes and SAM registration. Subcontractors paid by a prime (not directly by the government) generally do not — though primes often require it for teaming and teaming agreements.
What is the Miller Act and how does it affect CAGE codes?
The Miller Act requires performance and payment bonds on federal construction contracts over $150,000. Your CAGE code appears on all bonding paperwork and SF1442 solicitations.
Contract Award Data
NAICS 236220 Awards on FedAtlas.com
See every federal contract won under NAICS 236220 — by company, agency, state, and year.
NAICS 236220 Quick Facts
- Code
- 236220
- Sector
- Construction
- SBA Size Standard
- $45M