DOEDepartment of Energy
Annual Spend
$45B+ annually
CMMC Level
Level 1-2
Key Offices
NNSA, ARPA-E, EERE
Overview
DOE spends over $45 billion annually on nuclear weapons maintenance (NNSA), energy research, environmental cleanup, and national laboratory operations. DOE contracts tend to be large, long-term management and operating (M&O) contracts.
Mission Focus & Priorities
DOE's FY2026 priorities center on nuclear deterrence modernization, energy transition acceleration, and legacy environmental cleanup. The National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) drives approximately $20B annually in contract activity through its Weapons Activities program, focusing on the W80-4 Life Extension Program and B61-12 modernization. The Office of Science ($8.2B) prioritizes exascale computing at national laboratories, quantum information science through the National Quantum Initiative, and AI/ML integration across the 17-laboratory complex. Key emerging technology investments include the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) programs in grid-scale energy storage, carbon capture utilization and storage (CCUS), and critical mineral processing technologies. The Office of Environmental Management continues its $7.5B annual cleanup mission at sites like Hanford and Savannah River. IT modernization efforts focus on the Enterprise Infrastructure Modernization (EIM) program and laboratory computing infrastructure upgrades. CMMC 2.0 implementation is accelerating across NNSA contracts due to Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) handling requirements in nuclear weapons programs. The Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response (CESER) is driving zero-trust architecture adoption across critical energy infrastructure protection programs. DOE's unique challenge involves balancing open scientific collaboration with stringent security requirements, creating complex procurement scenarios requiring specialized compliance approaches.
Budget & Spending Trends
DOE's FY2026 budget request totals $47.8B, representing a 4.2% increase from FY2025's $45.8B appropriation. NNSA receives the largest allocation at $21.4B (+6.1% YoY), primarily supporting weapons activities and naval reactors. The Office of Science maintains steady funding at $8.2B, while Environmental Management decreases to $7.3B (-3.2% YoY) as cleanup missions near completion at several sites. Growing NAICS categories include 541330 (Engineering Services) up 12%, 541511 (Custom Computer Programming) up 18%, and 541712 (R&D in Physical Sciences) up 8%. Declining categories include 562910 (Environmental Remediation) down 15% and 238910 (Site Preparation) down 22% as cleanup contracts consolidate. The prime-to-subcontract ratio remains approximately 65:35, but subcontracting opportunities are expanding in cybersecurity and advanced manufacturing. Small business set-asides represent 28% of DOE's contracting dollars, with 8(a) contracts growing 15% annually. SDVOSB participation increased to 4.2%, while HUBZone utilization remains steady at 2.8%. Geographic concentration centers on Oak Ridge (22%), Los Alamos (18%), and Richland (15%), with emerging activity in Texas and California for renewable energy programs. Total small business prime contracting reached $12.6B in FY2024, exceeding the 25% statutory requirement.
How to Win Contracts with DOE
DOE's preferred contract vehicles include the General Services Administration's Multiple Award Schedule (GSA MAS) for IT services, SEWP V for technology procurement across national laboratories, and CIO-SP3 for enterprise IT solutions. The Management and Operating (M&O) contracts represent the largest opportunities, with upcoming recompetitions for Los Alamos National Laboratory ($2.8B annually) and Oak Ridge National Laboratory ($2.1B annually). Key procurement offices include the NNSA Service Center in Albuquerque, the Oak Ridge Office, and the Richland Operations Office. For SAM.gov targeting, focus on NAICS 541330 (Engineering Services), 541712 (R&D Physical Sciences), and 562910 (Environmental Remediation). Use PSC codes R425 (Engineering Services), R408 (Architect/Engineering), and R499 (Other Professional Services). Set-aside filters should emphasize small business and 8(a) opportunities, particularly in IT modernization contracts. Teaming requirements are critical for M&O contracts, requiring partnerships between large integrators and specialized technical firms. The Mentor-Protégé Program offers significant advantages, particularly for nuclear security and environmental cleanup work. Past performance requirements typically demand contracts valued at 50% of the proposed effort's value within the last five years, with direct relevance to DOE's unique mission areas. RFP cycles average 8-12 months for major procurements, with evaluation criteria weighted heavily toward technical capability (40%), past performance (30%), and price (30%). This week, BD professionals should: (1) Register for DOE industry days through FBO.gov notifications, (2) Establish relationships with current M&O contractors for subcontracting opportunities, (3) Pursue facility security clearances for key personnel, (4) Develop partnerships with national laboratory spinoffs and university research centers, (5) Attend the annual DOE Small Business Forum and Expo scheduled for March 2025.
CMMC Requirements for DOE Contractors
DOE's CMMC implementation focuses primarily on NNSA contracts handling Federal Contract Information (FCI) and Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), particularly nuclear weapons data and critical infrastructure information. Level 2 CMMC certification is required for contracts involving nuclear security, weapons design data, and critical energy infrastructure protection, representing approximately $15B of DOE's annual contracting. Level 1 applies to basic IT services and administrative support contracts valued under $500K. The NNSA began including CMMC clauses in solicitations in Q2 2024, with full implementation expected by Q3 2025. Subcontractor flowdown requirements create significant compliance burdens, particularly for M&O contracts where hundreds of subcontractors must achieve certification. DOE's risk-averse compliance culture means CMMC scoring will likely receive higher evaluation weights than other agencies, potentially 15-20% of total technical evaluation points. Early adopters include the Y-12 National Security Complex and Pantex Plant procurement offices, which began requiring CMMC readiness assessments in late 2023. Cost implications are substantial for DOE contractors due to the extended contract performance periods and complex security requirements. M&O contractors estimate CMMC Level 2 compliance costs at $2-4M annually for large facilities, with additional subcontractor certification costs potentially reaching $10M+ over contract lifecycles. The unique challenge involves balancing CMMC requirements with existing DOE cybersecurity standards and classification requirements, creating layered compliance obligations that significantly impact pricing strategies.
Top NAICS Codes
Common Contract Types
Key Procurement Offices
Recent Contract Awards
Total Awards
73
Last 30 Days
37
30-Day Value
$47.1M
Avg Amount
$1.3M
All-Time Value
$7.6B
FPDS
| Contract | Awardee | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 59--Power Line Hardware and Wire for WAPA | RURAL ELECTRIC SUPPLY COOPERATIVE | $89K |
| U--Western Area Power Administration (WAPA) Sierra Nevada Region (SNR), Operations and Dispatch annual subscription for North American Reliability Corporation (NERC) Computer Based Training. | NORTHWEST POWER POOL | $39K |
| 59--STOCK REPLENISHMENT - 7J11 - ARMOR ROD, WIRE, CABL | ENERGY BY NATIVE AMERICAN DESIGN CORP | $54K |
| 41--MARVAIR AC Units | VCLOUD GOV INC. | $20K |
| D--Gurobi Subscription Floating Use License Renewal P | GUROBI OPTIMIZATION, LLC | $50K |
| 61--Upgrade Kit for Siemens Interrupter | EVOLVEE USA INC | $143K |
| Information Dissemination Support Services | Crown Innovations, Inc. | $11.1M |
| 7A--Information Technology Purchase for Portsmouth Pad | OGIS COMMUNICATION GROUP INC | $17K |
| Z--Contract to award work for Building 1916-T2 stormwater drainage repair and parking lot project | W & P LLC | $306K |
| 61--Conductor and wire | RLH INC. | $31K |
Top Awardees
Top Contractors (FPDS)
| Contractor | Total Obligation |
|---|---|
| GENERAL MATTER, INC. | $902.5M |
| SHELL TRADING (US) COMPANY | $498.1M |
| BWXT NUCLEAR OPERATIONS GROUP, INC. | $135.5M |
| BECHTEL BETTIS INCORPORATED | $128.7M |
| NATIONAL TECHNOLOGY & ENGINEERING SOLUTIONS OF SANDIA, LLC | $123.1M |
| TRIAD NATIONAL SECURITY, LLC | $121.1M |
| BP PRODUCTS NORTH AMERICA INC. | $121.1M |
| NOBLE AMERICAS CORP. | $118.1M |
| ACCENTURE FEDERAL SERVICES LLC | $114.9M |
| ALLIANCE FOR ENERGY INNOVATION, LLC | $105.9M |
Get real-time alerts for DOE contracts and track opportunities matching your profile.
Get AlertsFrequently Asked Questions
How do I find contracts with DOE?
Search SAM.gov for active Department of Energy solicitations. Monitor the DOE procurement forecast published annually. Register in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov) and set up saved searches for relevant NAICS codes.
Does DOE require CMMC?
Department of Energy does not currently require CMMC for most contracts. However, DOE may have its own cybersecurity requirements. Contractors should review individual solicitations for specific requirements.
What are the top NAICS codes for DOE contracts?
The most commonly used NAICS codes for Department of Energy contracts include 541715, 541330, 237130, 541511, 541690. These codes cover the primary contracting areas for DOE. Check SAM.gov for specific opportunities under each code.
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