NAICS Code 236220 defines the commercial and institutional building construction sector within the North American Industry Classification System. This classification is widely used by US federal agencies, international donors, development banks, and prime contractors to categorize contractors involved in the construction of non-residential buildings intended for public, institutional, and commercial use. For companies operating in large-scale infrastructure, modular construction, public facilities, and turnkey projects, NAICS 236220 is a core eligibility code that directly affects procurement access, compliance positioning, and market credibility.

What does NAICS 236220 cover?

NAICS 236220 applies to establishments primarily engaged in the construction of commercial and institutional buildings. These projects are typically non-residential and serve public, civic, operational, or economic functions rather than private housing.

The scope includes both new construction and major renovations, provided the structure falls under commercial or institutional use.

Covered activities include:

• Ground-up construction of permanent commercial and institutional buildings
  • Turnkey construction under design-build or EPC models
  • Structural, architectural, and integrated MEP construction for non-residential facilities
  • Major rehabilitation, expansion, or conversion of existing institutional buildings

This classification is used regardless of whether the building is delivered through traditional on-site construction or modern off-site and modular methods.

Typical building types under NAICS 236220

NAICS 236220 includes a wide range of building typologies relevant to public sector, donor funded, defense, and large private sector projects.

• Office buildings and administrative complexes
  • Hospitals, clinics, and healthcare facilities
  • Schools, universities, and training centers
  • Government buildings and public service facilities
  • Military and defense support buildings excluding weapon systems
  • Industrial administration buildings and control centers
  • Research facilities and laboratories
  • Courthouses and judicial buildings
  • Transportation terminals and institutional support structures

Temporary or relocatable buildings can also fall under this code when they are used as institutional or commercial facilities rather than residential housing.

NAICS 236220 Vs Related Construction Codes

Understanding the boundaries of NAICS 236220 is critical for correct registration and tender eligibility.

• It differs from NAICS 236210, which applies to industrial building construction such as factories and heavy industrial plants
  • It differs from NAICS 236115 and 236116, which focus on residential construction
  • It complements specialty trade codes that cover electrical, mechanical, or finishing works, but 236220 is used when acting as a general or prime contractor

In procurement, primes often require subcontractors to hold relevant NAICS codes aligned with the overall project classification.

Importance Of NAICS 236220 İn Federal And Donor Procurement

NAICS 236220 is frequently referenced in solicitations issued by:

• US federal agencies including USAID, USACE, FEMA, GSA, and DoD
  • Multilateral development banks such as the World Bank and regional development banks
  • UN agencies and international NGOs for institutional infrastructure
  • Defense and security organizations for base and support facilities

Holding this NAICS code signals that a company is structurally positioned to deliver complex, regulated, and high-accountability building projects.

Role Of NAICS 236220 İn Modular And Prefabricated Construction

Modern procurement increasingly recognizes modular and prefabricated delivery under NAICS 236220 when the end use is institutional or commercial.

Examples include:

• Modular hospitals and healthcare campuses
  • Prefabricated schools and training facilities
  • Modular offices and command buildings
  • Rapid deployment institutional buildings for crisis response
  • Relocatable government and administrative facilities

The construction method does not change the classification. What matters is the function, scope, and responsibility for delivering a complete building.

Compliance And Qualification Expectations

Companies operating under NAICS 236220 are expected to demonstrate robust compliance and delivery capability.

• Proven experience in managing complex building projects
  • Ability to coordinate multiple trades and disciplines
  • Strong quality assurance and documentation systems
  • Compliance with safety, environmental, and labor standards
  • Financial capacity to execute medium to large scale contracts
  • Capability to work under donor, federal, or defense reporting frameworks

For donor and defense projects, auditability and traceability are often as important as technical execution.

Strategic Relevance For İnternational Contractors

For non-US and international contractors, NAICS 236220 is especially important when entering US funded or US managed international projects.

• Many USAID, DoD, and World Bank funded projects reference NAICS codes even when executed outside the US
  • Prime contractors often screen partners based on NAICS alignment
  • Registration under this code supports eligibility in SAM and similar procurement systems
  • It provides a standardized language for positioning commercial and institutional construction capability

Failing to align with the correct NAICS code can disqualify otherwise capable companies at an early stage.

Common misinterpretations and risks

Several recurring issues arise around NAICS 236220.

• Assuming the code applies only to permanent concrete buildings and excluding modular systems
  • Misclassifying institutional housing as residential rather than institutional use
  • Registering under trade-specific codes while acting as a prime contractor
  • Overlooking NAICS alignment during subcontractor vetting

Correct classification is a strategic decision, not an administrative afterthought.

Dorce’s Positioning Under NAICS 236220

Dorce operates within the scope of NAICS 236220 through its delivery of commercial and institutional buildings across healthcare, education, defense support, energy, and public sector infrastructure. Projects include hospitals, clinics, administrative buildings, training facilities, and large-scale institutional campuses delivered under design-build and turnkey models.

Off-site manufacturing and modular construction methods are integrated into Dorce’s approach while maintaining full responsibility for building performance, compliance, and commissioning. This aligns with NAICS 236220 expectations, where accountability for the complete building system defines the classification rather than the construction technique.

Through experience in donor funded, defense aligned, and large institutional projects across multiple regions, Dorce positions itself as a contractor capable of executing complex commercial and institutional buildings under the regulatory, technical, and operational standards associated with NAICS 236220.