The NAICS codes most used in federal disaster relief contracting are 562119 (debris collection and hauling), 562910 (remediation), 561730 (tree and brush clearing), 532490 (equipment rental, including generators), 722320 (emergency feeding), and 561612 (site security). Longer rebuild contracts rely on construction codes such as 237310 (roads and bridges) and 237110 (water and sewer lines). To be found for this work, those codes need to be listed in an active SAM.gov registration.
Contracting officers search the federal vendor database by NAICS code when they need vendors quickly. Recovery work does not end when a storm passes. Debris removal, repair, and rebuild contracts continue for months after landfall. This guide covers the codes agencies use most, what each one covers, and what you need in place to be found.
The NAICS Codes Most Commonly Used in Federal Disaster Relief
This list is not exhaustive, and not every code is equally active for every type of disaster. Use it to check your alignment and identify codes to add to your SAM registration.
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562119: Other Waste Collection. Debris hauling, storm cleanup, removal of damaged materials, and vegetative waste disposal. This is one of the most consistently active codes after a storm.
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562910: Remediation Services. Cleanup of mold, asbestos, and contaminated soil and water. It is common after flooding, storm surge in industrial areas, and structure demolition.
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561730: Landscaping Services. Tree removal, brush clearing, and stump grinding to reopen roads and access routes.
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561720: Janitorial Services. Cleaning of shelters, temporary housing units, staging areas, and agency field offices.
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722320: Caterers. Emergency feeding for displaced residents, relief workers, and agency personnel at mass sheltering sites.
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424490: Other Grocery and Related Products Merchant Wholesalers. Bottled water, shelf-stable food, and MREs. These are high-volume contracts that activate quickly after major declarations.
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541930: Translation and Interpretation Services. Interpreters for multilingual affected communities. Spanish, Vietnamese, Haitian Creole, and American Sign Language are in consistent demand along the Gulf and Atlantic coasts.
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314910: Textile Bag and Canvas Mills. Tarp manufacturers. Tarps are a high-volume item for temporary roof patching, supply protection, and shelter setup.
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561612: Security Guards and Patrol Services. Security for supply depots, temporary housing, staging areas, and access points in recovery zones.
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423830: Industrial Machinery and Equipment Merchant Wholesalers. Forklifts, loaders, and material handling equipment for logistics and debris operations.
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532490: Other Commercial and Industrial Machinery and Equipment Rental and Leasing. Generators, lighting, climate control, and other temporary equipment. Agencies often rent instead of buying because rental equipment deploys faster.
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335312: Motor and Generator Manufacturing. Generator manufacturers. Rental usually comes first, but manufacturers win awards when local supply runs short.
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333924: Industrial Truck, Tractor, Trailer, and Stacker Machinery Manufacturing. Material handling equipment. When needs are acute, agencies sometimes contract for manufacturing and delivery together.
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624230: Emergency and Other Relief Services. Shelter, food assistance, counseling, clothing, and relocation support, delivered by both nonprofit and for-profit providers.
Construction, Infrastructure, and Support Codes in Rebuild Contracts
These codes are not always classified as emergency response. They appear regularly in the larger, longer contracts that follow major declarations.
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237310: Highway, Street, and Bridge Construction. Road and bridge repair after hurricanes and floods.
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237110: Water and Sewer Line and Related Structures Construction. Water system restoration, which is a top priority after major declarations.
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236220: Commercial and Institutional Building Construction. Shelters, field offices, and community recovery structures.
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562991: Septic Tank and Related Services. Portable sanitation for temporary housing and shelter sites.
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541519: Other Computer Related Services. Emergency IT support, data recovery, and restoration of communications infrastructure.
Public Health Emergency NAICS Codes
These codes were used at scale during COVID-19 and remain part of federal planning for public health emergencies.
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325414: Biological Product (except Diagnostic) Manufacturing. Vaccines and immunological supplies.
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339113: Surgical Appliance and Supplies Manufacturing. PPE, bandages, and field first aid kits.
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621910: Ambulance Services. Emergency medical transportation.
What You Need in Place to Be Found
The right NAICS codes only help if the rest of your registration is ready.
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Active SAM.gov registration with accurate NAICS codes. Most federal contracting opportunities require an active SAM.gov registration. An expired registration can prevent consideration or award unless an exception applies, such as certain emergency or urgent acquisitions. Check your expiration date and confirm that your listed codes match the work you actually do.
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Disaster Response Registry enrollment. The Assertions section of your SAM.gov registration includes a Disaster Response page. Enrollment is opt-in. Contracting officers use the registry to find vendors during declared disasters.
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Certifications for your work category. Depending on your work, these can include OSHA 10-Hour or 30-Hour training for site and debris work, HAZWOPER certification for hazardous waste and remediation, and federal Public Assistance program training for contractors pursuing that work. Transportation providers pursuing the Standard Tender of Service program complete a separate annual registration with its own documentation and insurance requirements.
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A current capabilities statement. Reviewers working on fast timelines look for experience they can confirm quickly. Align your statement to your NAICS codes and past performance.
Speak With a Specialist
USFCR has worked with 500,000+ businesses, and our clients have won $1.9B+ in contract awards. We can help you confirm your NAICS alignment, enroll in the Disaster Response Registry, or build a vendor profile for recovery work. Call (866) 216-5343 to speak with a Registration and Contracting Specialist. The contractors who win disaster awards are the ones already in the system when the need arises.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which NAICS codes are most active in federal disaster contracting? The most consistently active codes are 562119 (debris collection), 562910 (remediation), 561730 (landscaping and vegetation removal), 532490 (equipment rental), 722320 (catering and emergency feeding), and 561612 (security services). Construction codes such as 237310 and 237110 appear often in longer rebuild contracts.
What NAICS code is used for debris removal? NAICS 562119 (Other Waste Collection) is the primary code for debris hauling and storm cleanup. Tree and brush clearing falls under 561730, and hazardous material cleanup falls under 562910.
What NAICS code covers generator rental for disaster response? NAICS 532490 (Other Commercial and Industrial Machinery and Equipment Rental and Leasing) covers generator and temporary equipment rental. Generator manufacturers use 335312.
How do I become eligible for federal disaster relief contracts? You need an active SAM.gov registration at minimum. You should also enroll in the Disaster Response Registry in your SAM Assertions section and make sure your registration lists the NAICS codes contracting officers search for. You can also submit a Vendor Profile to the Industry Liaison Program run by the primary federal disaster response agency, which helps that agency understand what your business offers.
What is the Disaster Response Registry? The Disaster Response Registry is a section of SAM.gov for businesses that provide disaster relief products and services. Enrollment is not automatic. You opt in by completing the Disaster Response page in the Assertions section when you register or renew.
What is the Industry Liaison Program (ILP)? The ILP is a market research and industry exchange program run by the primary federal disaster response agency. Submitting a Vendor Profile tells the agency what your business offers. It is not a registration to contract with the agency, and it gives no preference in awards. Your SAM.gov registration remains the core requirement.
Can small businesses bid on federal disaster relief contracts? Yes. Federal disaster contracting may include opportunities reserved for eligible 8(a), WOSB/EDWOSB, HUBZone, and SDVOSB businesses, subject to program and solicitation requirements. During a presidentially declared major disaster or emergency, agencies must also give preference to local firms on covered emergency response contracts, to the extent feasible and practicable. Each solicitation identifies the geographic area and preference that apply, so being registered and ready in your region matters.
When is the best time to register for disaster relief contracting? Register now. Atlantic hurricane season runs through November 30, and recovery contracting after major storms continues long after landfall. Registering before the next event puts you in the system before contracting officers start searching.
Is it too late in the season to pursue disaster recovery work? No. Emergency response contracts move fastest, but debris removal, repair, and rebuild work after major storms continues for months. Businesses that register now can still position for current recovery work and for the next event.
Does my SAM.gov registration need specific NAICS codes to be found for disaster work? Yes. Contracting officers search the federal vendor database by NAICS code. If your registration does not include codes that match your work, you will not appear in those searches.
Can I subcontract with prime contractors instead of bidding directly? Yes. Many small businesses enter disaster work as subcontractors to established federal primes. The primary federal disaster response agency points businesses to a federal prime contractor list that includes its contractors. Treat it as a starting point for subcontracting research, not a complete list.
Sources: Federal disaster response agency vendor and Disaster Response Registry guidance; SBA.gov Disaster Response Contracts; SAM.gov; 2022 NAICS Manual, U.S. Census Bureau
