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NAICS Code· 541830

NAICS 541830: Media Buying Agencies

This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in purchasing advertising time or space from media outlets and reselling it to advertising agencies or individual companies directly. Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in--Show more

NAICS 541830 – Media Buying Agencies encompasses firms that plan, negotiate, and purchase advertising space and time across traditional and digital media channels on behalf of government clients. These agencies specialize in media strategy, audience targeting, campaign optimization, and performance analytics to ensure federal communications initiatives reach intended demographics efficiently.

9
Active Contracts
$11.0M
Total Obligations (12mo)
4
Awarded Contracts (12mo)
4
Contractors Awarded (12mo)
1
Median Bidders per Award
+3441.7%
YoY Growth

Industry Spending Overview

Federal obligations, top contractors and agencies, and related industry codes for NAICS 541830.

AI Industry Description

NAICS 541830 – Media Buying Agencies encompasses firms that plan, negotiate, and purchase advertising space and time across traditional and digital media channels on behalf of government clients. These agencies specialize in media strategy, audience targeting, campaign optimization, and performance ...

NAICS 541830 – Media Buying Agencies encompasses firms that plan, negotiate, and purchase advertising space and time across traditional and digital media channels on behalf of government clients. These agencies specialize in media strategy, audience targeting, campaign optimization, and performance analytics to ensure federal communications initiatives reach intended demographics efficiently. In the government contracting landscape, this sector supports public awareness campaigns, recruitment drives, health outreach programs, and civic engagement efforts, often aligning with broader public affairs and marketing objectives. Media buying agencies operate at the intersection of communications, data analytics, and procurement, leveraging programmatic advertising, audience segmentation, and cross-platform media planning to maximize message impact within constrained federal budgets. No contractor data is available for this NAICS code. The competitive landscape appears fragmented, with potential participation from specialized communications firms, digital marketing boutiques, and large primes with integrated media services divisions. Small businesses with expertise in digital media placement and compliance with federal advertising regulations may find opportunities in niche segments. No agency data is available for this NAICS code. Primary demand likely stems from agencies with public outreach mandates, such as the Department of Health and Human Services, the U.S. Postal Service, and the Department of Defense, particularly for recruitment, veteran services, and public health campaigns. Spending is typically tied to fiscal-year communication plans and seasonal initiatives requiring rapid media deployment. The market is characterized by low concentration and high project-based demand, with opportunities emerging for contractors who can demonstrate compliance with federal advertising standards, transparency in media spend, and measurable outcomes. Trends suggest increasing reliance on digital and data-driven media buying, creating demand for firms with expertise in programmatic advertising, social media targeting, and performance-based contract structures.

Small Business Size Standard

The SBA threshold that decides who can bid NAICS 541830 work as a small business.

$32.5M
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 541830, ranked by dollars won.

Ranked by total awards

Top Agencies

Federal agencies directing the most contract spending toward NAICS 541830.

Competition

How many companies historically bid on federal awards in NAICS 541830, from bidder counts reported on USAspending.

Usually Single-Bid

Half or more of reported awards drew exactly one bidder, usually a sign of incumbent-held work rather than an open field. · 360 reported awards

Median Bidders

1

Per reported award, all-time

Single-Bid Awards

67%

Share of reported awards with one bidder

10+ Bidder Awards

5%

Share of reported awards with 10+ bidders

Reported Awards

360

91% of 395 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
541830This Code
Media Buying Agencies
Usually Single-Bid167%
36091% of 395
54183NAICS Industry
Usually Single-Bid167%
36091% of 395
5418Industry Group
Advertising, Public Relations, and Related Services
Usually Single-Bid157%
31,71682% of 38,674
541Subsector
Fewer Bidders249%
2,918,78285% of 3,416,794
54Sector
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
Fewer Bidders249%
2,918,78285% of 3,416,794

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 Media Buying Agencies, by shared sector, subsector, and industry group.

Explore contracts across multiple NAICS codes Browse all NAICS Codes

Dotted
NAICS 541830 FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

NAICS code 541830 covers Media Buying Agencies. This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in purchasing advertising time or space from media outlets and reselling it to advertising agencies or individual companies directly. Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in--

Recently Posted in Media Buying Agencies

NAICS: 541830
New
SLED
Media Planning & Placement Services
Solicitation # 26-052
The 22nd District Agricultural Association is soliciting proposals for Media Planning and Placement Services to support the annual San Diego County Fair. The objective is to award one or more contracts to qualified contractors who will collaborate with marketing staff on media strategy, buying, optimization, research, and promotional campaigns. The scope is divided into three distinct service categories: Integrated General Fair Media and Marketing, Concert and Live Entertainment Media and Marketing, and Multicultural and Cross-Border Media and Marketing. The resulting agreement is intended to have a 24-month term with three one-year renewal options, with estimated working-media expenditures totaling approximately 1.3 million dollars. The solicitation process, identified as RFP 26-052, was released on October 7, 2026, with a response deadline of October 23, 2026. Selection is based on a two-step evaluation where technical proposals are scored first, and the contract is awarded to the lowest-cost responsible proposer that meets the minimum technical standards. Interested parties must register through the e-Procurement Portal to participate. Note that while other documents with the same solicitation number refer to envelope printing for the DMV, the primary objective of this specific procurement is the comprehensive media and marketing support for the San Diego County Fair.
22nd DAA

POSTED

7 days ago

DEADLINE

in 9 days
View Details
NAICS: 541830
Closed
Federal
Guatemala - Media Monitoring Service
Solicitation # 19GT5026Q0082
The U.S. Embassy in Guatemala, through its Public Diplomacy Section, is soliciting quotes for an indefinite-quantity, indefinite-delivery contract for media monitoring services. The selected contractor will track news and mentions of the United States across Guatemalan news outlets and influential social media accounts, covering online, print, TV, radio, and weekly magazines. Key deliverables include comprehensive daily press summaries, top social media posts, news highlights, and alert feeds for specific topics of interest. Additionally, the contractor must monitor foreign malign actor propaganda, summarize Guatemalan Executive Branch press conferences, provide international media monitoring, and produce an annual executive archival scrapbook. On-demand services such as audio/video transcriptions and access to paywalled articles are also required. The contract consists of a one-year base period with up to three optional one-year extensions, with performance expected to begin in late 2026 or early 2027. This acquisition is designated as a Small Business HUBZone set-aside. Award will be granted to the lowest priced, acceptable, and responsible offeror. Evaluation criteria include price, financial resources, technical capability, and a satisfactory record of business ethics. The contractor must maintain a permanent address in Guatemala, provide a project manager proficient in English, and adhere to strict confidentiality requirements. Performance will be monitored via a Quality Assurance and Surveillance Plan, with a standard of no more than one customer complaint per month. Quotations must be submitted in PDF format to GuatemalaBids@state.gov by September 11, 2026.
Usembassy Guatemala City

POSTED

15 days ago

CLOSED

about 1 month ago
View Details
NAICS: 541830
Closed
SLED
Purchase of Brooklyn Zone - Proprietary Digital Advertising/ Marketing Media Services for SUNY- BEOC
Solicitation # 2139239
The New York City College of Technology of the City University of New York is seeking quotes for a one-time purchase of proprietary digital advertising and marketing media services for the SUNY Brooklyn Education Opportunity Center. This discretionary procurement, valued under 150,000 dollars, is specifically limited to NYS-certified MWBE, SVOB, SDBOB, and small businesses. The scope of work requires the delivery of a comprehensive media package including 231,000 addressable and mobile impressions, 270,000 transit-oriented digital out-of-home impressions, 334,000 major-market digital billboard impressions, 256,000 streaming television and video impressions, and 193,000 social media impressions. Additionally, the vendor must provide 2,208 placements across Brooklyn cable networks and 160 15-second local news placements on News 12 Brooklyn. All submissions must be received by October 13, 2026, at 2:00 PM and must be submitted using the official RFQ form. Respondents are required to offer their most favorable pricing and certify their business diversity status. The resulting contract will be governed by the University's standard Purchase Order Terms and Conditions, the Standard Clauses for New York State Contracts (Appendix A), and Supplier Diversity Provisions for purchases exceeding 25,000 dollars. Selected vendors must comply with the Procurement Lobbying Act by submitting the required affirmation and disclosure forms. All communications regarding this solicitation must be directed to the designated contact, Paula Morant, to avoid disqualification.
City University of New York (CUNY)

POSTED

24 days ago

CLOSED

1 day ago
View Details
NAICS: 541830
International
Media Planning and Buying Services
Solicitation # 2026/S 000-088923
ATOC Limited is seeking a supplier to provide a fully managed, audience-led media planning and buying service. The scope encompasses strategic media planning, media buying and activation, campaign management, optimization, reporting, and financial management across various offline and digital channels. The service will support national, regional, and locally targeted communications, ranging from planned and ongoing activities to reactive, time-critical, and strategically significant projects. While primarily delivered for ATOC Limited, the contract may extend to other participating rail organizations. The contract has an estimated total value of 250 million pounds excluding VAT, with an initial term from April 1, 2027, to March 31, 2029. There are options to extend the term for up to three additional years in one-year increments, potentially extending the performance period to March 31, 2032. Procurement is being conducted via a multi-stage Competitive Flexible Procedure under the Procurement Act 2023, consisting of a shortlisting stage, a formal tender, and supplier demonstrations. The final award will be based on a weighted evaluation of quality at 50 percent, price at 40 percent, and social value at 10 percent. To qualify during the initial shortlisting phase, suppliers must demonstrate technical capability in media planning and a minimum annual turnover of 100 million pounds.
ATOC Limited

POSTED

26 days ago

DEADLINE

N/A
View Details
NAICS: 541830
Closed
SLED
INS - Media Buying and Campaign Development Services
Solicitation # SRC0000039303
Contract ITB038439 is a minority set-aside requirements contract established to provide the Ohio Department of Insurance with media buying and campaign development services. Effective from January 1, 2027, through December 31, 2030, the contract is restricted to Ohio certified Minority Business Enterprises (MBE), who must maintain this certification throughout the term to avoid breach of contract. The scope of work includes coordinating with media outlets, managing the distribution of materials, and developing creative artwork, with an estimated annual spend between 500,000 and 1,000,000 dollars. The contract allows for an initial one-month discretionary renewal by the agency, with subsequent mutual renewals up to a maximum of 36 months. Award is based on the lowest commission rate among responsive and responsible bidders. To be considered responsive, bidders must demonstrate public sector media buying experience within the last four years on campaigns valued at 100,000 dollars or more and provide a project lead with at least two years of similar experience. Pricing remains firm for the first 12 months, after which adjustments may occur under the Fixed Price with Economic Adjustment terms. Key deliverables include a detailed media plan for approval within ten days of a purchase order, monthly financial reports, and in-depth campaign evaluation reports within 30 days of each campaign's conclusion. Payment is processed 30 days after receipt of a proper invoice, which must include proof of payment to media outlets and separate billing for creative work.
Insurance

POSTED

27 days ago

CLOSED

12 days ago
View Details

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