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NAICS Code· 488210

NAICS 488210: Support Activities for Rail Transportation

This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in providing specialized services for railroad transportation, including servicing, routine repairing (except factory conversion, overhaul, or rebuilding of rolling stock), and maintaining rail cars; loading and unloading rail cars; and operating independent terminals. Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in--Show more

NAICS 488210 – Support Activities for Rail Transportation encompasses a range of specialized services that enable the safe, efficient, and reliable operation of rail systems under federal oversight. This includes track maintenance and inspection, signal system servicing, railcar cleaning and refurbishment, locomotive maintenance, right-of-way clearing, bridge and tunnel inspections, and logistics coordination for rail-based freight or passenger operations.

52
Active Contracts
$21.3M
Total Obligations (12mo)
62
Awarded Contracts (12mo)
33
Contractors Awarded (12mo)
2
Median Bidders per Award
+16.7%
YoY Growth

Industry Spending Overview

Federal obligations, top contractors and agencies, and related industry codes for NAICS 488210.

AI Industry Description

NAICS 488210 – Support Activities for Rail Transportation encompasses a range of specialized services that enable the safe, efficient, and reliable operation of rail systems under federal oversight. This includes track maintenance and inspection, signal system servicing, railcar cleaning and refurbi...

NAICS 488210 – Support Activities for Rail Transportation encompasses a range of specialized services that enable the safe, efficient, and reliable operation of rail systems under federal oversight. This includes track maintenance and inspection, signal system servicing, railcar cleaning and refurbishment, locomotive maintenance, right-of-way clearing, bridge and tunnel inspections, and logistics coordination for rail-based freight or passenger operations. These services are critical to sustaining infrastructure integrity and operational readiness for federally funded or operated rail networks, particularly those supporting military logistics, federal passenger transit, and intermodal freight hubs. While not directly involved in rail vehicle manufacturing or line construction, contractors in this sector provide essential lifecycle support that ensures continuity of service for government rail assets. No contractor data is available to identify top performers in this NAICS code. However, the competitive landscape typically includes specialized rail maintenance firms, heavy equipment service providers, and small businesses with niche expertise in rail infrastructure support, often competing for task orders under broader transportation or logistics contracts. No agency data is available to identify primary buyers. Nonetheless, demand is likely driven by agencies managing federal rail assets, such as the Department of Defense for military rail lines, the Federal Railroad Administration for safety compliance oversight, and the General Services Administration for interagency transit support. Federal agencies with rail-dependent logistics or passenger operations may also procure these services under indirect or mission-specific contracts. The market for rail support activities is characterized by low contractor density and high technical specificity, creating opportunities for firms with certified rail maintenance credentials, OSHA-compliant safety protocols, and experience with federal infrastructure standards. Procurement trends suggest a growing emphasis on predictive maintenance, condition-based monitoring, and compliance with FRA regulations, favoring contractors with proven technical rigor and regulatory familiarity.

Small Business Size Standard

The SBA threshold that decides who can bid NAICS 488210 work as a small business.

$34.0M
Applies to the whole industry code

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.

Top Contractors

Companies with the highest total award value under NAICS 488210, ranked by dollars won.

Ranked by total awards
CompanyTotal AwardsContracts
MEB GENERAL CONTRACTORS INC$5.0M1
ALLTRACK, INC$4.7M7
QUALITY TURBOCHARGER COMPONENTS LLC$3.5M4
DUOS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.$2.6M1
AMTRAC RAILROAD CONTRACTORS OF MARYLAND, INC$1.0M1
EAST JAPAN RAILWAY COMPANY$703K2
CENTRAL GULF RAILCAR SERVICES, LLC$581K3
PENNSYLVANIA & SOUTHERN RAILWAY LLC$433K1
BNSF RAILWAY COMPANY$389K3
LIBERTY RAILWAY SERVICES, INC.$339K4

Top Agencies

Federal agencies directing the most contract spending toward NAICS 488210.

Department Of Defense46 awards$14.9M
Department Of Transportation9 awards$6.4M
Department Of State1 award$0
Sourcewell6 awards$0

Competition

How many companies historically bid on federal awards in NAICS 488210, from bidder counts reported on USAspending.

Fewer Bidders

Median under 3 bidders per reported award. · 1,143 reported awards

Median Bidders

2

Per reported award, all-time

Single-Bid Awards

47%

Share of reported awards with one bidder

10+ Bidder Awards

0%

Share of reported awards with 10+ bidders

Reported Awards

1,143

80% of 1,428 total awards

Bidder Count Distribution by Fiscal Year

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 FamilyCompetitionMedian BiddersSingle-BidBidder MixReported Awards
488210This Code
Support Activities for Rail Transportation
Fewer Bidders247%
1,14380% of 1,428
48821NAICS Industry
Fewer Bidders247%
1,14380% of 1,428
4882Industry Group
Support Activities for Rail Transportation
Fewer Bidders247%
1,14380% of 1,428
488Subsector
Fewer Bidders247%
155,59082% of 190,088
48Sector
Transportation and Warehousing
Fewer Bidders239%
398,99285% of 469,216

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 Support Activities for Rail Transportation, by shared sector, subsector, and industry group.

Air Traffic Control

This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in providing air traffic control (exce...
488111Same SubsectorMedium Similarity

Other Airport Operations

This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in (1) operating international, nation...
488119Same SubsectorMedium Similarity

Other Support Activities for Air Transportation

This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in providing specialized services for air t...
488190Same SubsectorMedium Similarity

Port and Harbor Operations

This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in operating ports, harbors (including dock...
488310Same SubsectorMedium Similarity

Marine Cargo Handling

This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in providing stevedoring and other marine c...
488320Same SubsectorMedium Similarity

Navigational Services to Shipping

This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in providing navigational services to shipp...
488330Same SubsectorMedium Similarity

Other Support Activities for Water Transportation

This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in providing services to water transportati...
488390Same SubsectorMedium Similarity

Motor Vehicle Towing

This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in towing light or heavy motor vehicles, bo...
488410Same SubsectorMedium Similarity

Explore contracts across multiple NAICS codes Browse all NAICS Codes

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NAICS 488210 FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

NAICS code 488210 covers Support Activities for Rail Transportation. This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in providing specialized services for railroad transportation, including servicing, routine repairing (except factory conversion, overhaul, or rebuilding of rolling stock), and maintaining rail cars; loading and unloading rail cars; and operating independent terminals. Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in--

Recently Posted in Support Activities for Rail Transportation

NAICS: 488210
New
International
Rail Maintenance Contract April 1, 2027-March 31, 2030
Solicitation # -HOPA-2026-11
The Hamilton-Oshawa Port Authority is soliciting bids for a Rail Maintenance Contract to provide routine repair and maintenance services for its rail infrastructure in Hamilton, Ontario. The contract is scheduled to run from April 1, 2027, to March 31, 2030. The scope of work includes performing monthly lubrication and adjustment of approximately 50 switches, snow removal and switch clearing, and executing repairs based on monthly visual inspections. The contractor must provide written estimates using a unit price table and deliver written inspection reports upon completion of repairs. A critical requirement is the ability to respond to emergency defects with a site assessment within two hours and a repair crew on-site within four hours. Bids must be submitted electronically by November 18, 2026, and must include signed and corporate sealed bid forms, a list of subcontractors, and unit rates. While the lowest bid is considered, the award is at the sole discretion of the Project Manager, who may evaluate the bidder's price, financial stability, and record of completing projects on schedule and within budget. No bid bonding or performance bonds are required, but bidders must provide an undertaking of insurance. Compliance requires maintaining a current WSIB Clearance Certificate, a Certificate of Insurance, and a Ministry of Labour Ontario Notice of Project on-site, while adhering to the Hamilton-Oshawa Port Authority Contractor Safety Program and safety audits.
Hamilton-Oshawa Port Authority

POSTED

1 day ago

DEADLINE

in about 1 month
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NAICS: 488210
New
Federal
Marine Logistics & Barge SupportThis subcontract for Marine Logistics and Barge Support involves providing essential marine equipment and platforms for prime contractors working on US Army Corps of Engineers projects along the Alabama River in Selma. The scope of work includes the supply of deck barges, spud barges, and tugboats, which will serve as critical staging platforms for personnel and equipment in areas where land access is restricted. To ensure safety and regulatory compliance, all provided equipment must maintain valid US Coast Guard certifications. The contract focuses on delivering reliable marine access and logistics support to facilitate the successful execution of Department of Defense infrastructure projects.
US Army Corps Of Engineers

POSTED

1 day ago

DEADLINE

in 12 days
View Details
NAICS: 488210
New
DIBBS
MIL-SPEC Packaging and International Shipping ServicesThis subcontract for MIL-SPEC Packaging and International Shipping Services supports the Department of Defense, specifically the DLA Weapons Support Land Supplier Opns Vehicle SPT. The selected provider will perform specialized military packaging and international shipping for prime contractors, ensuring all components are packaged according to MIL-STD-2073-1E and marked in accordance with MIL-STD-129. The scope of work includes coordinating logistics to deliver packed and marked components to a consignee in Germany within five days of the order. Due to the nature of the shipments, the contractor must possess specialized expertise in ITAR and EAR export regulations. This opportunity falls under NAICS code 488210, with a response deadline set for October 26, 2026.
DLA WEAPONS SUPPORT LAND SUPPLIER OPNS VEHICLE SPT

POSTED

2 days ago

DEADLINE

in 10 days
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NAICS: 488210
New
DIBBS
Military-Grade Packaging and International Freight ForwardingThis subcontract involves providing military-specification packaging and logistics services for prime contractors supporting the DLA Weapons Support ASC Commodities Division. The scope of work requires the packaging of a Mechanical Puller in accordance with MIL-STD-2073-1E and RP001, with marking performed per MIL-STD-129. The contractor is responsible for coordinating the shipment of the item to a freight forwarder located in Newport, Rhode Island, for final delivery to Izmit, Turkey. Due to the nature of the international shipment of defense hardware, strict adherence to ITAR and EAR compliance is mandatory. The project falls under NAICS code 488210 and is managed under the Department of Defense. Interested parties must have responded by the deadline of October 22, 2026.
DLA WEAPONS SUPPORT ASC COMMODITIES DIVISION

POSTED

2 days ago

DEADLINE

in 6 days
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NAICS: 488210
Closed
SLED
BI-ANNUAL EXTERIOR RAILCAR CLEANING
Solicitation # WMATA-0000010670
The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority is seeking a contractor for bi-annual exterior railcar cleaning services under solicitation number WMATA-0000010670. This project is currently in the pending award status, with the response deadline set for February 27, 2026. The procurement is managed by the agency's Virginia organization. Interested parties can find further details and manage bids through the official WMATA supplier portal.
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority

POSTED

2 days ago

CLOSED

8 months ago
View Details
NAICS: 488210
New
SLED
Marine Transport and Reef Material DeploymentThis subcontract for Marine Transport and Reef Material Deployment involves the loading, maritime transport, and precision offloading of heavy concrete materials for prime contractors working on Mississippi Department of Marine Resources reef projects. The scope of work requires the transport of 35ft concrete poles and culverts from a bulkhead in Gulfport, Mississippi, via barge to Reef Complex 1 and 2, where materials must be deployed at specific predetermined coordinates on the seabed. To successfully execute the contract, the provider must utilize barges equipped with on-board cranes capable of handling the specified heavy materials. The solicitation was posted on October 13, 2026, with a response deadline of November 16, 2026, falling under NAICS code 488210.
MS DEPT of MARINE RESOURCES

POSTED

3 days ago

DEADLINE

in about 1 month
View Details
NAICS: 488210
Closed
SLED
Rail Modernization -Industry Day Event
Solicitation # WMATA-0000010710
The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority is hosting a Rail Modernization Industry Day Event under solicitation number WMATA-0000010710. This initiative is designed to engage potential industry partners and provide critical information regarding upcoming rail modernization efforts. The solicitation was posted on September 25, 2026, with a response deadline set for February 17, 2026. Interested parties can access further details and manage their bids through the official WMATA supplier portal.
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority

POSTED

3 days ago

CLOSED

8 months ago
View Details
NAICS: 488210
Closed
SLED
State of Good Repair
Solicitation # WMATA-0000008833
The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority has issued solicitation number WMATA-0000008833 for a project titled State of Good Repair. This procurement is currently in a pending award status, indicating that the selection process is underway but not yet finalized. The solicitation was managed through the agency's supplier portal with a response deadline of June 10, 2022. While the organization type is listed as other and associated with Virginia, specific details regarding the NAICS code and the exact place of performance were not provided in the contract data.
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority

POSTED

7 days ago

CLOSED

over 4 years ago
View Details
NAICS: 488210
Awarded
International
LTC - NR Anglia - Basic Asset Protection Agreement
Solicitation # 2026/S 000-095223
The LTC - NR Anglia - Basic Asset Protection Agreement is a direct award contract between National Highways Limited and Network Rail Infrastructure Limited, valued at 717,000 pounds excluding VAT. The agreement is designed to compensate Network Rail for costs incurred during the review and supervision of work that interfaces with its assets. This scope specifically includes activities classified as low impact, such as the design of structures up to and beyond the Form A Asset Interface Process stage, the design and construction of the Linford UTX, and any work conducted within a 15 meter zone of the Network Rail boundary. The contract was awarded via a direct award process due to technical reasons identifying Network Rail as a single supplier. The estimated performance period for these services begins on October 19, 2026, and is scheduled to continue through March 31, 2033. This agreement ensures that all necessary oversight and supervision are provided to maintain the integrity of rail assets during the execution of the specified works.
National Highways Limited

POSTED

8 days ago

DEADLINE

N/A
View Details
NAICS: 488210
DIBBS
Aerospace Component Packaging and Expedited ShippingThis subcontract for Aerospace Component Packaging and Expedited Shipping is issued by the Department of Defense under the DLA Weapons Support Maritime Supply Chain ESOC Buys. The contractor is responsible for providing specialized military packaging and expedited transport for prime contractors fulfilling DLA supply contracts. All work must adhere to strict technical standards, including packaging per ASTM D3951, marking and labeling per MIL-STD-129, and palletization per RP001. The scope of work requires the delivery of packaged components to Hill AFB, UT, using the fastest traceable shipping methods available, specifically excluding the use of parcel post. This opportunity falls under NAICS code 488210 and was posted on October 7, 2026, with a response deadline of October 19, 2026.
DLA WEAPONS SUPPORT MARITIME SUPPLY CHAIN ESOC BUYS

POSTED

9 days ago

DEADLINE

in 3 days
View Details
NAICS: 488210
Closed
Federal
Overseas Aviation Asset Packaging and ShippingThis subcontract, titled Overseas Aviation Asset Packaging and Shipping, involves the specialized packaging and international coordination of repaired APU Generators for prime contractors supporting NAVSUP Weapon Systems Support projects. The scope of work requires strict adherence to Best Standard Commercial Packaging for Overseas Shipment for sensitive components and compliance with WSSTERMFZ05 shipping instructions. The contractor is responsible for managing FOB Origin requirements for FMS Case AT-P-GXO, with final delivery of assets to the Australian Government Cargo Office in Brisbane, CA. Performance of these services is centered in Philadelphia under NAICS code 488210 for the Department of Defense.
Navsup Weapon Systems Support

POSTED

9 days ago

CLOSED

7 days ago
View Details
NAICS: 488210
DIBBS
Defense-Compliant Packaging and International Shipping ServicesThis subcontract for Defense-Compliant Packaging and International Shipping Services supports the Department of Defense through the DLA Weapons Support Maritime Supply Chain. The scope of work involves providing specialized military packaging and international transport for prime contractors, ensuring all shipments are processed according to RP001 and ASTM D3951 standards. All items must be marked in accordance with MIL-STD-129 using military-grade materials to ensure compliance and protection during transit. The service provider is responsible for coordinating FOB Destination shipping to the SRF and JRMC Yokosuka Naval Base in Japan. The contract falls under NAICS code 488210 and requires the delivery of properly packed and marked shipments to the specified destination. The response deadline for this opportunity is October 19, 2026.
DLA WEAPONS SUPPORT MARITIME SUPPLY CHAIN ESOC BUYS

POSTED

10 days ago

DEADLINE

in 3 days
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