Federal NAICS Codes

NAICS 541820: Public Relations Agencies

Explore obligations, trends, recent awards, and incumbent contractors for NAICS 541820.

NAICS 541820 federal market metrics

Total obligations
$10.8B
Total awards
16,453 awards
Active obligations
$528.2M
Size standard
$19,000,000 receipts

What this NAICS covers

NAICS 541820 covers public relations and communications services, including media relations, strategic messaging, reputation management, speechwriting, event communications, crisis communications planning, stakeholder outreach, and development of press materials and communication products.

Federal opportunities under 541820 typically involve delivering campaign messaging, media engagement, public information and outreach plans, producing press releases and briefing materials, supporting stakeholder communications, and executing communication activities aligned with agency public affairs objectives.

FY2026 snapshot

Obligations
$33M
Awards
62
Average award
$531.8K
Change from FY2025
-71.2%

Recent awards

Search contractors

$25,000

SAE INTERNATIONAL

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

PIID
693JJ926P000007
PSC
R708 - SUPPORT- MANAGEMENT: PUBLIC RELATIONS

$64,990,000

KETCHUM INC.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

PIID
75D30126F21224
PSC
R701 - SUPPORT- MANAGEMENT: ADVERTISING

$86,100,000

MARCOM GROUP, INC

US Customs and Border Protection

PIID
70B06C26F00001127
PSC
R701 - SUPPORT- MANAGEMENT: ADVERTISING

$186,680

CEDAR RIDGE PARTNERS LLC

Offices, Boards and Divisions

PIID
15JA0526C00000004
PSC
R708 - SUPPORT- MANAGEMENT: PUBLIC RELATIONS

$555,422

ORICOM INC

Department of State

PIID
19GE5026F7023
PSC
R708 - SUPPORT- MANAGEMENT: PUBLIC RELATIONS

FAQ

What work fits NAICS 541820?
  • Develop and execute crisis communication plans, prepare press releases, and manage media inquiries with rapid coordination protocols and approved talking points.
  • Design and implement stakeholder outreach campaigns including messaging, briefing packets, community engagement events, and follow-up documentation.
  • Provide media monitoring and earned media reports with reach, placement, and sentiment metrics for inclusion in contractor performance reports.
  • Create spokesperson materials and provide media coaching sessions with deliverables that include talking points, mock interview transcripts, and evaluation feedback.
When is NAICS 541820 a weak fit?
  • Paid advertising and media-buy contracts that focus on ad placement procurement and paid impressions, because those procure paid media space rather than earned media relations and strategic communications.
  • Internal employee communications managed by human resources that handle policy dissemination and workforce administration, because they lack public-facing media relations and external stakeholder outreach.
  • Graphic design or production-only contracts that supply visual assets without strategic message development, media engagement, or outreach planning.
What solicitation language points to NAICS 541820?
  • Scope of work requests communication plans, media engagement logs, sample press releases, and outreach schedules as discrete deliverables.
  • Evaluation criteria request writing samples, demonstrated media relations placements, and past performance on public outreach campaigns.
  • Labor categories listed include Public Affairs Specialist, Media Relations Officer, Social Media Manager, and Communications Strategist with required experience levels.

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