Federal contracts by state
Federal Contracts in California: Spending, Agencies & Vendors
Data through 2026-08-24 · FY2026 to date
- Obligations, FY2026 to date
- $47.1B
- Contract awards
- 203,183
- Average award size
- $232K
- vs. prior full fiscal year
- 24.0% decline
| Item | Obligations |
|---|---|
| FY21 | $52.1B |
| FY22 | $57.5B |
| FY23 | $61.5B |
| FY24 | $61.7B |
| FY25 | $62B |
| FY26 | $47.1B |
Obligations fell 24.0% year over year, from $62B in FY2025 to $47.1B in FY2026 to date.
Federal contract obligations in California totaled $47.1B in FY2026 to date. The state recorded 203,183 awards with an average award size of $232K. Obligations fell 24.0% year over year. Annual obligations peaked at $62B in FY25 and declined to $47.1B in FY26. The Department of Defense is the largest buyer in the state, obligating $25.8B, followed by the Department of Energy at $6.3B and the Department of Homeland Security at $4.9B. Research and development work leads industry spending with two R&D categories accounting for $6.4B and $5.3B respectively. Major vendors include national labs, shipbuilders, and aerospace firms, with LAWRENCE LIVERMORE NATIONAL SECURITY, LLC receiving $3.4B and NATIONAL STEEL AND SHIPBUILDING COMPANY receiving $2.8B. The current-year totals are partial because the fiscal year is ongoing. This snapshot highlights where federal money is concentrated across agencies, industries, and top contractors in California.
How has California federal contracting changed year over year?
Obligations fell 24.0% year over year. Annual obligations rose from $52.1B in FY21 to $62B in FY25, then declined to $47.1B in FY26. The state recorded 203,183 awards in FY2026 to date with an average award size of $232K.
| Item | Obligations |
|---|---|
| Department of Defense | $25.8B |
| Department of Energy | $6.3B |
| Department of Homeland Security | $4.9B |
| National Aeronautics and Space Administration | $3.1B |
| Department of Veterans Affairs | $1.9B |
| General Services Administration | $1.2B |
| Department of Agriculture | $1.1B |
| Department of the Interior | $571M |
| Department of Health and Human Services | $545M |
| Department of Transportation | $521M |
Department of Defense was the top federal buyer in California, obligating $25.8B (54.7% of the state total).
Which agencies and industries dominate federal spending in California?
The Department of Defense obligated $25.8B in FY2026 to date. The Department of Energy obligated $6.3B and the Department of Homeland Security obligated $4.9B. Research and development is the largest industry grouping, with related categories totaling $6.4B and $5.3B, and construction and shipbuilding also appearing among the top industries.
| Item | Obligations |
|---|---|
| LAWRENCE LIVERMORE NATIONAL SECURITY, LLC | $3.4B |
| NATIONAL STEEL AND SHIPBUILDING COMPANY | $2.8B |
| FISHER SAND & GRAVEL CO | $2.5B |
| SPACE EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGIES CORP. | $2B |
| CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY | $1.8B |
| BARNARD CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, INCORPORATED | $1.3B |
| GENERAL ATOMICS AERONAUTICAL SYSTEMS, INC. | $1.2B |
| THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA | $1.2B |
| LOCKHEED MARTIN CORP | $1.1B |
| THE AEROSPACE CORPORATION | $1B |
LAWRENCE LIVERMORE NATIONAL SECURITY, LLC led all contractors in California with $3.4B, 7.3% of the state total.
| Item | Obligations |
|---|---|
| Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology) | $6.4B |
| Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences | $5.3B |
| Commercial and Institutional Building Construction | $4B |
| Ship Building and Repairing | $3.4B |
| Engineering Services | $2.6B |
| Aircraft Manufacturing | $2.2B |
| Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction | $1.9B |
| Nonscheduled Chartered Freight Air Transportation | $1.9B |
| Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing | $1.3B |
| Custom Computer Programming Services | $1.2B |
Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology) was the largest industry in California, with $6.4B obligated.
| Rank | Vendor | Obligations |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | LAWRENCE LIVERMORE NATIONAL SECURITY, LLC | $3.4B |
| 2 | NATIONAL STEEL AND SHIPBUILDING COMPANY | $2.8B |
| 3 | FISHER SAND & GRAVEL CO | $2.5B |
| 4 | SPACE EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGIES CORP. | $2B |
| 5 | CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY | $1.8B |
| 6 | BARNARD CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, INCORPORATED | $1.3B |
| 7 | GENERAL ATOMICS AERONAUTICAL SYSTEMS, INC. | $1.2B |
| 8 | THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA | $1.2B |
| 9 | LOCKHEED MARTIN CORP | $1.1B |
| 10 | THE AEROSPACE CORPORATION | $1B |
| Rank | Recipient | Award Amount | Awarding Agency |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | LAWRENCE LIVERMORE NATIONAL SECURITY, LLC | $41.3B | Department of Energy |
| 2 | HEALTH NET FEDERAL SERVICES, LLC | $23.5B | Department of Defense |
| 3 | THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA | $19.9B | Department of Energy |
| 4 | THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA | $18B | Department of Energy |
| 5 | THE LELAND STANFORD JUNIOR UNIVERSITY | $14.9B | Department of Energy |
| 6 | LOCKHEED MARTIN CORP | $9B | Department of Defense |
| 7 | THE AEROSPACE CORPORATION | $8.7B | Department of Defense |
| 8 | LOCKHEED MARTIN CORP | $7.5B | Department of Defense |
| 9 | NATIONAL STEEL AND SHIPBUILDING COMPANY | $5.9B | Department of Defense |
| 10 | LOCKHEED MARTIN CORP | $5.8B | Department of Defense |
| 11 | NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION | $3.5B | Department of Defense |
| 12 | AEROJET ROCKETDYNE OF DE, INC | $3.4B | National Aeronautics and Space Administration |
| 13 | NATIONAL STEEL AND SHIPBUILDING COMPANY | $3.4B | Department of Defense |
| 14 | SPACE EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGIES CORP. | $3.2B | National Aeronautics and Space Administration |
| 15 | THE BOEING COMPANY | $3.1B | Department of Defense |
| 16 | CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY | $3B | National Aeronautics and Space Administration |
| 17 | LOCKHEED MARTIN CORP | $2.5B | Department of Defense |
| 18 | LOCKHEED MARTIN CORP | $2.2B | Department of Defense |
| 19 | LOCKHEED MARTIN CORP | $2B | Department of Defense |
| 20 | NATIONAL STEEL AND SHIPBUILDING COMPANY | $1.9B | Department of Defense |
| 21 | GENERAL ATOMICS AERONAUTICAL SYSTEMS, INC. | $1.9B | Department of Defense |
| 22 | NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION | $1.8B | Department of Defense |
| 23 | RAYTHEON COMPANY | $1.8B | Department of Defense |
| 24 | GENERAL ATOMICS | $1.7B | Department of Defense |
| 25 | CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY | $1.6B | National Aeronautics and Space Administration |
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Frequently asked questions
How much federal contract money goes to California?
California receives $47.1B in federal contract obligations in FY2026 to date. The state has 203,183 awards and an average award size of $232K, and obligations fell 24.0% year over year.
Which agencies award the most contracts in California?
The Department of Defense awards $25.8B in federal contracts in California in FY2026 to date. The Department of Energy awards $6.3B, the Department of Homeland Security awards $4.9B, and other large buyers include NASA at $3.1B and the Department of Veterans Affairs at $1.9B.
Who are the largest federal contractors in California?
The largest federal contractors in California are LAWRENCE LIVERMORE NATIONAL SECURITY, LLC at $3.4B and NATIONAL STEEL AND SHIPBUILDING COMPANY at $2.8B. Other top vendors include FISHER SAND & GRAVEL CO at $2.5B, SPACE EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGIES CORP. at $2B, and CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY at $1.8B.
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