SAM.gov Basics
How to Find the Right NAICS Code for Federal Contracting
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NAICS codes — North American Industry Classification System codes — determine whether your business qualifies as small for any given federal contract. Getting them right affects your eligibility, your SAM.gov profile visibility, and your set-aside certification status. Getting them wrong can disqualify you from bids you should win.
What Is a NAICS Code?
NAICS codes are six-digit numbers used by the federal government (and the Census Bureau) to classify businesses by industry. They were introduced in 1997 to replace the older SIC (Standard Industrial Classification) system.
In federal contracting, every solicitation posted on SAM.gov is assigned a primary NAICS code by the contracting officer. That code determines:
- Whether your business qualifies as "small" for that specific contract
- Which set-aside program rules apply (if any)
- Whether competition is restricted to small businesses under FAR Part 13
NAICS codes and size standards are not universal
Size standards differ by NAICS code — a business that qualifies as small under one code may not qualify under a closely related one. For example, some IT services codes have a $34M revenue threshold while some specialized engineering codes are lower. Always verify the exact size standard for the specific NAICS code on a solicitation at sba.gov/size-standards before self-certifying as small.
How to Find Your NAICS Code
Method 1 — SBA Size Standards Tool (Most Reliable)
Go to sba.gov/size-standards. Enter a keyword describing what your business does and the tool returns matching NAICS codes along with their current size standards. This is the official reference — use it before self-certifying as small on any proposal.
Method 2 — Census Bureau NAICS Search
The Census Bureau maintains the official NAICS code hierarchy at census.gov/naics. You can browse by sector or search by keyword. This is useful when you want to understand how your industry is classified and explore related codes you might have missed.
Method 3 — Look at Contracts Your Competitors Win
Search USASpending.gov for contracts awarded in your industry. The award records include the NAICS code the contracting officer assigned. This reveals which codes agencies actually use when they buy what you sell — which may differ from what you'd expect. Those are the codes to register.
Method 4 — Check SAM.gov Solicitations Directly
Search SAM.gov (or EasyGov) for opportunities similar to work you could perform. The NAICS code for each solicitation is displayed in the opportunity details. If five similar solicitations all use the same NAICS code, that's strong evidence that's the right code for your business.
Understanding Size Standards
The SBA sets size standards for every NAICS code. A size standard is the maximum size a business can be and still qualify as "small" for federal contracting purposes under that code.
Size standards come in two forms:
Revenue-based size standards
Most service industries use a revenue threshold — the average annual receipts of your business over the past three fiscal years must be below the threshold. Thresholds vary widely by industry — verify the exact figure for your NAICS code at sba.gov/size-standards before self-certifying. Revenue-based standards apply to consulting, IT services, professional services, construction, and most non-manufacturing work.
Employee-based size standards
Manufacturing and some wholesale industries use an employee headcount threshold — typically 500 employees, though some industries have higher limits (up to 1,500). Employee counts include all full-time, part-time, temporary, and affiliate employees averaged over the past 12 months.
Affiliation rules can affect your size
The SBA's affiliation rules aggregate the revenue or employees of businesses that are economically affiliated — through common ownership, common management, or financial control. If another business controls or is controlled by your business, its size counts toward yours. This is a common trap for businesses with investor relationships, family ties, or teaming agreements.
NAICS Codes and Set-Aside Certifications
Your registered NAICS codes also affect your eligibility under specific set-aside programs. Key interactions to understand:
8(a) Program
When you apply for 8(a) certification, SBA evaluates your primary NAICS code to determine eligibility thresholds. Your 8(a) certification covers all of your registered NAICS codes as long as you remain small under each. If you add new NAICS codes after certification, confirm with your SBA Business Opportunity Specialist that they're covered.
WOSB / EDWOSB
WOSB set-asides only apply to specific NAICS codes where women-owned small businesses are underrepresented or substantially underrepresented in federal contracting. The SBA publishes the authorized WOSB NAICS codes. Before pursuing a WOSB set-aside, verify the solicitation's NAICS code is on the authorized list.
HUBZone
HUBZone certification covers all your business activities. The NAICS code on each solicitation determines if you're small — your HUBZone status itself isn't NAICS-specific.
Common NAICS Code Mistakes
- Registering codes that don't match your actual work. Listing unrelated NAICS codes to "cover more ground" doesn't help — agencies search for vendors in specific codes and won't find you in a list of unrelated industries. Worse, it can create problems if you self-certify as small in a code where you're not actually qualified.
- Not updating codes when your business expands. If you move into a new service area, register the relevant NAICS codes in SAM.gov before pursuing solicitations in that area. Self-certifying as small under a code you're not registered for creates recordkeeping inconsistencies.
- Ignoring the affiliation analysis. Many small businesses assume their size is just their own revenue. If you have a parent company, related LLC, or significant investor, run an affiliation analysis before self-certifying as small.
- Using the wrong NAICS code in your capability statement. Your capability statement should list only the NAICS codes that are in your SAM.gov registration. Discrepancies between your capability statement and your SAM.gov profile signal disorganization to a contracting officer.
Finding Contracts by NAICS Code
Once you've identified your NAICS codes, EasyGov lets you filter the SAM.gov opportunity feed by NAICS code — so you see only solicitations in your industry, with AI-generated plain-English summaries of what the agency needs and when it's due.
Related Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
How many NAICS codes can I register in SAM.gov?
There is no hard limit on the number of NAICS codes you can register in SAM.gov. However, you should only register codes that accurately describe the products or services your business actually provides. Registering dozens of unrelated codes looks unfocused to contracting officers and doesn't improve your search visibility — agencies search for vendors by specific codes, not by volume of codes registered.
What is the difference between a primary NAICS code and secondary NAICS codes?
In SAM.gov, you designate one NAICS code as your primary code — the one that best represents your principal business activity. Secondary NAICS codes represent additional products or services you offer. Both primary and secondary codes are visible to contracting officers searching the Small Business Search database. Your primary code also affects how your business is categorized in federal procurement reporting.
What happens if I use the wrong NAICS code when bidding?
If you bid on a contract under a NAICS code where you don't meet the size standard, you may be found ineligible during a size status protest. Another bidder, the contracting officer, or the SBA can file a size protest, which triggers an SBA formal size determination. If you're found to have misrepresented your size status — intentionally or not — the consequences can include contract termination and debarment from federal contracting.
Can I change my NAICS codes in SAM.gov?
Yes. You can update your NAICS codes in SAM.gov at any time during your active registration or at annual renewal. Changes take effect immediately after approval. Note that if you hold an 8(a), WOSB, SDVOSB, or HUBZone certification, major changes to your primary NAICS code may require notification to SBA.
What is a PSC code and how is it different from a NAICS code?
NAICS codes are industry classification codes used to determine small business size standards. Product and Service Codes (PSCs) are a separate federal system that specifically describes what the government is buying in each contract. A solicitation will have both a NAICS code (for size standard purposes) and a PSC code (to categorize the purchase). You don't register PSC codes — they're assigned by agencies to solicitations. However, understanding which PSC codes match your work helps you search SAM.gov more precisely.