NAICS 112512: Shellfish Farming
This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in farm raising shellfish (e.g., crayfish, shrimp, oysters, clams, mollusks). Cross-References.Show more
NAICS 112512 – Shellfish Farming encompasses the controlled cultivation and harvesting of marine and estuarine shellfish species such as oysters, clams, mussels, and scallops in designated aquaculture zones. This sector involves the use of advanced aquaculture techniques including bottom culture, suspended culture systems, and hatchery-based seed production to support sustainable seafood supply chains.
Industry Spending Overview
Federal obligations, top contractors and agencies, and related industry codes for NAICS 112512.
AI Industry Description
NAICS 112512 – Shellfish Farming encompasses the controlled cultivation and harvesting of marine and estuarine shellfish species such as oysters, clams, mussels, and scallops in designated aquaculture zones. This sector involves the use of advanced aquaculture techniques including bottom culture, su...
NAICS 112512 – Shellfish Farming encompasses the controlled cultivation and harvesting of marine and estuarine shellfish species such as oysters, clams, mussels, and scallops in designated aquaculture zones. This sector involves the use of advanced aquaculture techniques including bottom culture, suspended culture systems, and hatchery-based seed production to support sustainable seafood supply chains. In the federal contracting landscape, shellfish farming supports missions related to marine resource restoration, habitat enhancement, food security initiatives, and scientific research into aquaculture resilience. While primarily a commercial activity, government procurement in this space often funds conservation partnerships, coastal ecosystem rehabilitation, and research collaborations with academic and state institutions. No contractor data is available to identify leading primes, small businesses, or specialized aquaculture firms actively engaged in federal contracts under this code. The competitive landscape appears fragmented, with potential participation from regional shellfish growers, aquaculture technology providers, and environmental services firms that may bundle shellfish farming services into broader marine restoration or habitat construction contracts. No agency data is available to pinpoint primary federal buyers. However, demand is likely driven by agencies focused on marine conservation, including NOAA Fisheries, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Army Corps of Engineers, particularly in programs related to living shoreline projects, nutrient mitigation, and coastal resilience planning. The market context reflects low procurement density, with limited direct federal contracting activity. Opportunities may emerge through grants, cooperative agreements, or subcontracting arrangements under larger environmental restoration contracts. Contractors with expertise in aquaculture permitting, water quality monitoring, and ecological impact assessments are well-positioned to engage in this niche sector, especially as climate adaptation and blue economy initiatives gain traction.
Small Business Size Standard
The SBA threshold that decides who can bid NAICS 112512 work as a small business.
The SBA cap for this NAICS (13 CFR 121.201). A business at or under it can self-certify as small for work in this code, which is what makes it eligible for a small-business set-aside. The cap is set per NAICS, so the same company can be small in one code and not in another.
13 CFR 121.201, effective January 1, 2026. The SBA revises the table roughly once a year.
Competition
How many companies historically bid on federal awards in NAICS 112512, from bidder counts reported on USAspending.
Half or more of reported awards drew exactly one bidder, usually a sign of incumbent-held work rather than an open field. · 40 reported awards
Median Bidders
1
Per reported award, all-time
Single-Bid Awards
70%
Share of reported awards with one bidder
10+ Bidder Awards
0%
Share of reported awards with 10+ bidders
Reported Awards
40
89% of 45 total awards
Share of reported awards in each bidder-count bracket per federal fiscal year.
How this code compares up the NAICS hierarchy. Parent cohorts pool every code under their prefix, so they are the steadier baseline when a 6-digit sample is thin.
| Industry Family | Competition | Median Bidders | Single-Bid | Bidder Mix | Reported Awards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
112512This Code Shellfish Farming | Usually Single-Bid | 1 | 70% | 4089% of 45 | |
11251NAICS Industry | Usually Single-Bid | 1 | 65% | 1,10684% of 1,322 | |
1125Industry Group Aquaculture | Usually Single-Bid | 1 | 65% | 1,10684% of 1,322 | |
112Subsector | Fewer Bidders | 2 | 50% | 14,18986% of 16,507 | |
11Sector Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting | Usually Single-Bid | 1 | 55% | 225,74883% of 270,521 |
Bidder counts reported on past federal awards in this NAICS (USAspending). An open opportunity has no bidders yet, so this is the historical norm for similar work, not a fact about this solicitation. Not all awards report bidder counts, and fewer bidders often means incumbent-held work rather than an easier win. Federal reporting of bidder counts fell from ~96% of awards (FY2016) to ~30% (FY2018 onward); the chart shows shares of reported awards, and washed-out stretches mark years with fewer than 30 of them.
Related NAICS Codes
Industries similar to Shellfish Farming, by shared sector, subsector, and industry group.
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