What is a NAICS Code?
The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) categorizes businesses by industry. It uses 6-digit codes—like 541611 for Management Consulting Services—to determine eligibility for federal contracts. Every company must register its primary NAICS code with SAM.gov to bid on contracts.
Why NAICS Codes Matter for Federal Contracts
Your primary NAICS code sets your size standard, which determines eligibility for set-aside contracts. For example:
- Construction: Up to 500 employees
- Professional Services: Up to $7.5M revenue
- Information Technology: Up to $17.5M revenue
How to Choose Your Codes
Register multiple codes on SAM.gov—your primary code determines size eligibility, while secondary codes broaden your scope. For example:
• Primary: 541611 (Management Consulting) → Determines size standard
• Secondary: 541512 (Engineering Services) → Expands bid eligibility
Size Standards by NAICS
Size standards vary widely:
- Manufacturing: 1,500 employees (e.g., 336113 - Electric Lighting)
- Professional Services: $7.5M revenue (e.g., 541611)
- IT Services: $17.5M revenue (e.g., 541512)
Updating NAICS Codes
Update codes via SAM.gov’s Profile > Industries. Changes take 24-48 hours to propagate. To maintain eligibility for set-asides, ensure your primary code matches your core business. For instance, Prevail Federal maintains 39+ codes to cover all service lines from consulting to logistics.
Prevail Federal is registered under 39+ NAICS codes spanning consulting, facilities, staffing, logistics, and more.