What is a NAICS Code?
Also known as: North American Industry Classification System
A NAICS code is a six-digit number that classifies the type of work in a contract. Each code carries a small-business size standard (in revenue or employees), so the NAICS on a solicitation determines who counts as a small business for that opportunity.
Why the NAICS code matters
Contracting officers assign a NAICS code to every solicitation. That code sets the small-business size standard, which decides whether your firm qualifies as small for that specific contract — and therefore whether you can compete on a small-business set-aside.
Searching and filtering opportunities by NAICS is the most reliable way to find work that fits your capabilities and size.
Frequently asked questions
Can a company have more than one NAICS code?
Yes. Firms register multiple NAICS codes in SAM.gov to reflect their full range of capabilities, and size status can differ by code because each has its own size standard.
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