NAICS Codes
North American Industry Classification System codes that categorize businesses by their primary type of economic activity, used to determine small business eligibility.
NAICS (North American Industry Classification System) codes are six-digit numbers that classify businesses by industry. In government contracting, NAICS codes determine which opportunities you are eligible for and whether your company qualifies as a small business.
Why NAICS Codes Matter
Every government solicitation is assigned a NAICS code. The SBA sets different small business size standards for each NAICS code, measured by either annual revenue or number of employees. Selecting the right NAICS codes during SAM.gov registration is critical for being found by contracting officers and qualifying for set-aside contracts.
Choosing Your NAICS Codes
You can list multiple NAICS codes in SAM.gov. Choose codes that best represent your primary business activities. Common GovCon NAICS codes include 541512 (Computer Systems Design), 541611 (Administrative Management Consulting), 541519 (Other Computer Related Services), and 541330 (Engineering Services).
NAICS Codes and Bid Matching
ProposalApp uses your NAICS codes as a key matching criterion when finding relevant opportunities on SAM.gov, ensuring you see the most relevant solicitations for your business.
Frequently asked questions
How many NAICS codes can I have in SAM.gov?
There is no official limit to the number of NAICS codes you can list in SAM.gov. However, you should only list codes that genuinely represent your business capabilities, as contracting officers may use this information to verify your expertise.
What is the most common NAICS code for IT government contractors?
541512 (Computer Systems Design Services) is the most common for IT GovCon. Others include 541519 (Other Computer Related Services), 541511 (Custom Computer Programming Services), and 517110 (Wired Telecommunications).