Select the right NAICS codes to maximize your eligibility for federal contracts.
Summary
NAICS Codes: How to Choose the Right Classification for Your Business Select the right NAICS codes to maximize your eligibility for federal contracts.
Document what your company actually does, breaking services into distinct categories. Consider past projects and how you would describe them to a potential customer unfamiliar with your business.
Read the official descriptions for codes you're considering at census.gov/naics. The descriptions include examples of activities included and excluded from each code, helping you identify the best fit.
Look at SAM.gov profiles of companies with similar capabilities. See which NAICS codes they selected, but remember their business mix may differ from yours.
Search SAM.gov for contracts you would want to win. Note which NAICS codes agencies assign to those opportunities—this reveals how buyers think about the work.
Different NAICS codes have different size standards. Understanding how your size measures against each code's threshold may influence which opportunities you pursue.
Procurement Technical Assistance Centers offer free guidance on NAICS selection. Their counselors can help verify your choices align with federal buyer expectations.