For small businesses in the federal contracting space, particularly those in construction, environmental remediation, energy systems, or cybersecurity, partnering with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) presents a rare opportunity to grow alongside one of the government’s most mission-critical agencies.
USACE has awarded an average of $21 billion annually over the last decade, with a record-breaking $28.9 billion in FY2023 alone. With most of this spend allocated to construction and engineering services, and nearly $5 billion annually flowing to Small Disadvantaged Businesses (SDBs), the USACE represents a lucrative and open contracting partner.
Approximately 90% of all USACE contract dollars from FY19–FY23 were awarded through competitive procedures, showing that access to opportunities is broadly available, even for newcomers.
A Legacy of Infrastructure and Innovation
USACE traces its origins back to 1802, originally formed to build coastal fortifications. Over two centuries, it has evolved into a global powerhouse supporting military installations, national infrastructure, environmental programs, and emergency responses. It operates at 42 Army installations, 13 Air Force bases, and 16 DoD and allied bases within the North Atlantic Division alone, with a presence in over 130 countries.
This scope of operations makes USACE an ideal customer for small businesses offering services in military construction, facility renovation, cybersecurity for industrial systems, energy performance upgrades, and infrastructure resilience.
A Deep Bench of Technical Expertise
One of the most strategic aspects of doing business with USACE is understanding its Centers of Expertise (COEs). These are specialized hubs that oversee critical programs and offer guidance, standards, and consistency. These are divided into Mandatory Centers of Expertise (MCXs) and Technical Centers of Expertise (TCXs):
Mandatory Centers of Expertise (MCXs)
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- Medical Facilities: Providing lifecycle support for medical and research facilities.
- Ballistic Missile Defense: Offering expertise in missile defense infrastructure.
- Electronic Security Systems: Specializing in the design and implementation of electronic security measures.
- Utility Monitoring and Control Systems: Focusing on the integration and management of utility systems.
- Facilities Explosives Safety: Ensuring safety in facilities handling explosives.
- Control Systems Cybersecurity: Addressing cybersecurity for industrial control systems.
- Military Munitions: Managing the lifecycle of military munitions and cleanup.
- Ranges and Training Lands: Overseeing the development and maintenance of training facilities and environmental remediation.
- Hydroelectric Design Center: Specializing in hydroelectric power plant design, evaluation, and safety upgrades.
- Inland Navigation Design Center: Providing expertise in navigation infrastructure.
- Marine Design Center: Focusing on naval architecture and marine engineering.
- Modeling, Mapping, and Consequences Production Center: Analyzing risks and mapping potential consequences of infrastructure failures.
- Protective Design Center: Designing facilities to resist various threats, specializing in anti-terrorism and facility hardening.
- Transportation Systems Center: Expertise in military airfields, roads, and railroads.
These MCXs act as high-level procurement influencers and technical certifiers, meaning alignment with their mission areas can increase your company’s contracting potential.
Technical Centers of Expertise (TCXs)
- Facility Systems Safety: Providing engineering and safety expertise in facility systems.
- HVAC: Offering technical support in HVAC systems.
- Installation Support: Supporting public works business processes and systems.
- Cybersecurity for Industrial Control Systems: Addressing cybersecurity challenges in control systems.
- Energy Savings Performance Contracting: Expertise in energy efficiency and financing mechanisms.
- DD Form 1391 Processor: Specializing in the preparation and validation of military construction project documentation.
- Hydrologic Engineering Center: Supporting water resources management responsibilities.
- Joint Airborne Lidar Bathymetry Center: Performing operations in airborne lidar bathymetry.
- Paint Technology Center: Providing expertise in paints and coatings.
- Photogrammetric Mapping: Offering rapid response photogrammetric mapping support.
- Power Reliability Enhancement Program and SCADA Systems: Enhancing power reliability, cost-saving upgrades, and infrastructure automation across installations.
- Rapid Response: Providing time-sensitive project support during emergencies.
- Welding and Metallurgy: Expertise in welding and fabrication projects.
For small businesses, many of these TCXs present contract avenues aligned with current federal cost-efficiency priorities, especially in the post-DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency) environment, where upgrades to SCADA systems, power reliability, and structural automation are favored over new environmental programs.
For small government contractors, USACE is not only a major source of revenue, it’s a gateway to long-term contract opportunities. Whether through competitive By aligning with the USACE’s Centers of Expertise, small businesses can find a place to meaningfully contribute to the U.S. infrastructure and defense readiness.
