What Is a NAICS Code?
A NAICS code is a six-digit industry code, such as 561720 for janitorial services. Each solicitation generally carries one, and it sets the size standard.
NAICS code in plain English
NAICS stands for North American Industry Classification System. In your SAM.gov registration you list the codes for work you can do and mark one as your primary code. You can list several.
Your size is judged against the code on each contract, not your primary code. A business can be small under one code and too big under another, because SBA sets a separate size standard for each.
SBA and SAM.gov use the 2022 version of NAICS. You can look up codes and their definitions on the Census Bureau's NAICS site.
Related terms
- Small business size standard: A size standard is SBA's cutoff for counting as a small business in an industry. SBA sets one per NAICS code, in average annual receipts or employees.
- PSC code (product and service code): A PSC (product and service code) is a four-character code for what the government is buying, such as S201 for custodial and janitorial services.
- Set-aside: A set-aside is a contract reserved for small businesses, or for one type of small business such as HUBZone or women-owned firms. Others can't bid.
- SAM.gov: SAM.gov is the free official government website where businesses register to work with the federal government and agencies post contract opportunities.
Put it to work
Looking for another term? Browse the full glossary or the government contracting glossary guide.