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Codes and profiles

Guide 2 of 8

NAICS and PSC codes, SBA size standards, CAGE and NCAGE codes, and the SBA Small Business Search profile buyers search.

In this guide

NAICS codes: the industry codes buyers search

Who it is for. Drone and robotics companies, U.S.-based or from an allowed country, that plan to register in SAM.gov (the System for Award Management) to sell to the U.S. federal government.

NAICS (North American Industry Classification System) codes are 6-digit codes that describe a type of business activity. A company lists its NAICS codes in its SAM.gov registration, and the SBA (U.S. Small Business Administration) ties a small-business size limit to each code. The Census Bureau's NAICS website has the full list and a search tool. The Census Bureau says no central government agency assigns or approves NAICS codes for businesses.

Steps

  1. Open the Census NAICS searchGo to census.gov/naics. Use the '2022 NAICS Search' box. As of September 25, 2026, 2022 NAICS is the newest edition on the Census page.Census Bureau NAICS page
  2. Search by keywordType a word that describes what the company makes or does, such as a product or service. The Census Bureau's FAQ says to pick the code that most closely matches the primary business activity, or refine the search to see other choices.2022 NAICS Search
  3. Read the full definition before choosingClick a 6-digit code to see its definition, cross-references and index entries. The Census Bureau says a complete, valid NAICS code has six digits. The full 2022 NAICS Manual and Excel code lists are free under Reference Files and Downloadable Files on the same page.NAICS reference files
  4. Pick one primary codeSBA says a business generally has one primary NAICS code and can also have more codes if it sells several products and services. SBA's rule on 'primary industry' (13 CFR 121.107, part of the Code of Federal Regulations) looks at how receipts, employees and costs split across industries in the most recent completed fiscal year. SBA may also look at patents, contract awards and assets.13 CFR 121.107 (primary industry)
  5. List the other codes that match what the company sellsThe Census Bureau says SAM.gov accepts more than one NAICS code per business. Each solicitation uses only one NAICS code, chosen by the contracting officer (13 CFR 121.402).13 CFR 121.402 (NAICS in solicitations)
  6. Enter the codes in SAM.govSign in to SAM.gov with a Login.gov account. In the entity registration, find Assertions, then Goods and Services, and enter the NAICS codes. The SAM.gov Entity Registration Checklist lists this step.SAM.gov entity registration
  7. Change codes in SAM.gov when the business changesSAM.gov says a registration can be updated at any time or during renewal. SBA's Small Business Search takes NAICS codes from SAM.gov, and they must be changed in SAM.gov, not in Small Business Search.Update a SAM.gov registration

What to have ready

  • A short description of each product and service the company sells
  • Receipts, employees and costs by product or service line for the most recent completed fiscal year (the factors SBA uses to find the primary industry under 13 CFR 121.107)
  • A Login.gov account to sign in to SAM.gov

Time, cost, renewal and where to send

TimeThe code lookup has no waiting period. After submitting, SAM.gov's registration page says a registration can take up to 10 business days to become active. The SAM.gov Entity Registration Checklist says to allow at least ten business days.
CostFree. The Census NAICS search and the 2022 NAICS Manual download are free at census.gov/naics. The SAM.gov Entity Registration Checklist says SAM.gov is free to use: there is no charge to get a Unique Entity ID, register, or maintain a registration.
RenewalThe Census Bureau says NAICS is scheduled to be reviewed every five years. On July 13, 2026, OMB (Office of Management and Budget) asked for public comments on proposed 2027 NAICS updates. SAM.gov registration must be renewed every 365 days, according to SAM.gov.
Where to sendEnter NAICS codes in the SAM.gov entity registration (Assertions section). Nothing is sent to the Census Bureau. Questions about the NAICS list go to naics@census.gov.

Where to get help

Watch out

  • The Census Bureau says no central government agency assigns, monitors or approves NAICS codes for businesses, and there is no central register of 'official' codes. It has no formal role in code decisions outside its own statistical programs.
  • Private firms sell NAICS codes and data for specific companies. The Census Bureau says it cannot verify their accuracy. The official list is free at census.gov/naics.
  • Codes with more than six digits are not true NAICS codes, according to the Census Bureau.
  • A company's size is judged against the size standard for the one NAICS code in each solicitation, not against the company's own primary code (13 CFR 121.402).
  • SBA says a contracting officer's NAICS choice can be appealed to SBA's Office of Hearings and Appeals (OHA) within 10 days of the solicitation's publication.
  • The Census Bureau says NAICS codes are assigned for statistics only to locations in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. The SAM.gov checklist still lists NAICS codes as part of an All Awards registration.
  • The July 13, 2026 Federal Register notice says the proposed 2027 NAICS would take effect in the U.S. for publishing establishment data about periods beginning on or after January 1, 2027. The notice does not say when SAM.gov or SBA size standards will switch to 2027 codes.

Official sources

SBA size standards: check 'small' status for each NAICS code

Who it is for. Companies registering in SAM.gov (the System for Award Management) that plan to compete for contracts set aside for small businesses or to appear in SBA's Small Business Search.

The SBA (U.S. Small Business Administration) sets a size standard for each 6-digit NAICS (North American Industry Classification System) code. It is usually a maximum number of employees or a maximum average annual receipts (revenue), and it includes affiliates. SBA says size standards vary by industry, and SBA's Size Standards Tool gives a separate YES or NO for each code.

Steps

  1. Have your NAICS codes readyLook up the codes first at census.gov/naics. SBA's tool and table are both organized by 6-digit NAICS code.Census NAICS search
  2. Open SBA's Size Standards ToolGo to sba.gov/size-standards. Search by NAICS code or keyword and add one or more 6-digit codes to the search list.SBA Size Standards Tool
  3. Enter employees or receiptsThe tool asks for the average number of employees over the last 24 months, average annual receipts, or both, depending on the codes chosen. SBA generally figures receipts as 'total income' (or 'gross income') plus 'cost of goods sold' from IRS tax returns, averaged over the latest five completed fiscal years, including affiliates (13 CFR 121.104). For a business open less than five years, 13 CFR 121.104 divides total receipts by the number of weeks in business and multiplies by 52.13 CFR 121.104 (annual receipts)
  4. Read the result for each codeThe tool shows each code's size standard with a YES or NO. Some codes have exceptions and footnotes. For example, 13 CFR 121.201 lists 336411 Aircraft Manufacturing at 1,500 employees, and 541330 Engineering Services at $25.5 million, with a $47.0 million exception for Military and Aerospace Equipment and Military Weapons.SBA Size Standards Tool
  5. Confirm in the official tableSBA's Table of Size Standards (effective March 17, 2023) and 13 CFR 121.201 in the eCFR (Electronic Code of Federal Regulations) are the official lists. The eCFR shows no change to 121.201 since March 17, 2023, as of September 25, 2026.SBA Table of Size Standards
  6. Count every affiliateSBA says to include the employees or receipts of all affiliates. Affiliation is based on the power to control, whether used or not. It exists at 50% or more ownership and can exist with much less through contracts or large relative shares. Employee counts include domestic and foreign affiliates (13 CFR 121.106).SBA size standards and affiliates
  7. Enter size numbers in SAM.govSAM.gov (System for Award Management) asks for worldwide annual receipts and number of employees under 'Size Metrics' in the Assertions section, according to the SAM.gov Entity Registration Checklist.SAM.gov entity registration
  8. Update SAM.gov when size standards changeSBA's notice on the size table page says businesses registered in SAM.gov must update their SAM.gov registration to have their small business status reflect the size standards effective March 17, 2023. Until the registration is updated, SAM.gov profiles show small business status under the old standards.SBA notice on the size table page

What to have ready

  • Federal income tax returns for the latest five completed fiscal years (SBA generally relies on filed returns for receipts, 13 CFR 121.104)
  • Payroll records showing employees for each pay period over the latest 24 calendar months, counting part-time and temporary staff (13 CFR 121.106)
  • The same receipts and employee records for every affiliate, including foreign affiliates
  • Ownership and control details: owners of 50% or more, and any agreements that give another party control

Time, cost, renewal and where to send

TimeThe online tool shows a result right away. SBA formal size determinations are a separate process, for example after a size protest (13 CFR 121.1001 to 121.1010).
CostFree. The SBA tool, the SBA table and the eCFR are free to use.
RenewalSBA reviews size standards every five years. SAM.gov registration, including size metrics, must be renewed every 365 days, according to SAM.gov.
Where to sendNothing is filed with SBA for this check. Size metrics go into the SAM.gov registration (Assertions section). Questions go to SBA's Office of Size Standards at sizestandards@sba.gov or 202-205-6618.

Where to get help

Watch out

  • SBA says there are severe criminal penalties for knowingly misrepresenting a business's size for a federal contract (13 CFR 121.108).
  • SBA says any interested party can protest a winning bidder's small business size status.
  • SBA's general requirements: for-profit, independently owned and operated, not nationally dominant in its field, and physically located and operating in the U.S. or its territories. SBA says a business outside the U.S. may still count as small if it has a U.S. operation that makes a significant contribution to the U.S. economy through taxes or use of American products, materials or labor (see also 13 CFR 121.105).
  • Receipts cannot exclude subcontractor costs, reimbursements or payroll taxes. Only the exclusions listed in 13 CFR 121.104 apply.
  • SBA's website has a new design. The size tool and size table links open pages marked 'legacy SBA.gov website', but they still work.

Official sources

Product and Service Codes (PSC): what the government buys

Who it is for. Companies registering in SAM.gov (the System for Award Management) that want their products and services described the same way federal agencies record their purchases.

A PSC (Product and Service Code) is a 4-character code that records what the government bought on each contract action in FPDS (Federal Procurement Data System). NAICS describes the seller's industry; PSC describes the product or service. The SAM.gov Entity Registration Checklist lists PSCs as optional.

Steps

  1. Open the PSC ManualGo to acquisition.gov/psc-manual. The current manual is the Fiscal Year 2025 edition, effective April 2025, prepared by GSA (U.S. General Services Administration). It comes in Excel, Word and PDF.PSC Manual on Acquisition.gov
  2. Learn how the codes are builtMost product codes are 4 digits, grouped by type (for example, Group 15 is Aerospace Craft and Structural Components). Service codes start with a letter. Research and development (R&D) codes start with 'A'. IT service codes start with 'D' (for example, DA10) and IT product codes start with '7' (for example, 7A20), according to the PSC Manual.PSC Manual
  3. Search the manual for your productsUse the Excel list or search the PDF for product words. For example, PSC 1550 'Unmanned Aircraft' covers complete drones only. Parts, assemblies and accessories for drones are classed elsewhere, according to the manual.PSC Manual downloads
  4. Check R&D stage codes if you do R&D workThe fourth character of an R&D code shows the stage: 1 basic research, 2 applied research, 3 experimental development, 4 administrative expenses for R&D, 5 R&D facilities and major equipment (PSC Manual).PSC Manual, Section A
  5. See which codes agencies actually useAgencies report a PSC for each contract action in FPDS. Contract award searches have moved to SAM.gov: SAM.gov says the FPDS.gov 'ezSearch' feature is retired and all contract awards data searches now happen in SAM.gov. On SAM.gov, choose 'Contracting' or 'Contract Awards' in the search box to see past awards.SAM.gov contracting data
  6. Add PSCs in SAM.govIn the SAM.gov registration, find Assertions, then Goods and Services. PSCs go next to NAICS codes and are optional, according to the SAM.gov checklist.SAM.gov entity registration

What to have ready

  • A list of the company's products and services with short technical descriptions

Time, cost, renewal and where to send

TimeNo waiting period. PSCs are chosen during the SAM.gov registration.
CostFree. The PSC Manual is a free download on Acquisition.gov.
RenewalGSA updates the PSC Manual from time to time. The latest change listed (version 1.9) activated one code on April 19, 2025. SAM.gov registration must be renewed every 365 days, according to SAM.gov.
Where to sendEnter PSCs in the SAM.gov registration (optional). Questions about the PSC change process go to PSC-Codes@gsa.gov, according to the PSC Manual.

Where to get help

Watch out

  • The PSC Manual says each contract action is coded by the predominant product or service bought. Its example: a contract for $1,000 of lumber and $500 of pipe is coded as lumber.
  • PSC 1550 is for complete drones only. The manual says drone parts, assemblies and accessories go in other classes.
  • The PSC Manual changes over time. Acquisition.gov dates each edition; the current one is the Fiscal Year 2025 edition, effective April 2025.
  • The PSC Manual still points to the 'ezSearch' tool at fpds.gov. SAM.gov says that tool is retired; fpds.gov now forwards to SAM.gov's contracting page.

Official sources

CAGE and NCAGE codes

Who it is for. U.S. companies (CAGE code) and companies located outside the U.S. (NCAGE code) that plan to register in SAM.gov (the System for Award Management) or submit federal offers.

A CAGE (Commercial and Government Entity) code identifies a company at one specific location. The DLA (Defense Logistics Agency) CAGE Branch assigns CAGE codes to U.S. entities, usually during SAM.gov registration. Companies outside the U.S. use an NCAGE code (a CAGE code assigned through NATO, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization) and must get it before they start a SAM.gov registration.

Steps

  1. Non-U.S. companies: start here, before SAM.govThe SAM.gov Entity Registration Checklist says an entity based outside the U.S. must request an NCAGE code before starting a SAM.gov registration.SAM.gov Entity Registration Checklist
  2. Non-U.S. companies: request the NCAGE code from the right officeFAR 52.204-16 (Federal Acquisition Regulation) says: if the company's country is a NATO member or a NATO-sponsored nation, contact that country's national codification bureau. If it is not, request the NCAGE code from NSPA (NATO Support and Procurement Agency). NSPA's online NCAGE Code Request Tool (NCRT) is where requests are made; NSPA calls it the only NATO-approved website for NCAGE search and request.NSPA NCAGE Code Request Tool (NCRT)
  3. U.S. companies: let SAM.gov assign the CAGE codeDuring SAM.gov registration, answer 'No' when asked if you have a CAGE code. The SAM.gov checklist says one will be assigned after you submit. FAR 52.204-16 says the DLA CAGE Branch assigns it as part of SAM.gov registration.SAM.gov entity registration
  4. U.S. companies not registering in SAM.govFAR 52.204-16 says a U.S. company that is not required to register in SAM.gov for a purchase, and does not register, can request a CAGE code at cage.dla.mil.DLA CAGE Program
  5. Use the exact legal name and physical addressFAR 52.204-16 says the CAGE code must be for the name and location address on the offer. SAM.gov validates the entity name and physical address, and a P.O. box cannot be the physical address.FAR 52.204-16
  6. Gather owner codesSAM.gov asks if another entity owns or controls yours. If the immediate owner is outside the U.S., enter the owner's NCAGE code; the checklist says this is required for non-U.S. entities to start a registration. FAR 52.204-16 also requires the CAGE codes of the immediate owner and highest-level owner when FAR 52.204-17 or 52.212-3(p) applies.SAM.gov checklist (ownership details)
  7. Watch email for validation problemsThe SAM.gov checklist says that if a registration fails TIN (Taxpayer Identification Number) or CAGE validation, SAM.gov emails the Government Business POC (point of contact) with instructions. Check spam folders. You may need to work with the IRS or CAGE to fix the data before resubmitting.SAM.gov checklist (FAQ section)
  8. Put the code on every offerFAR 52.204-16 says to show the CAGE code with the name and location address on the offer and to write 'CAGE' before the number. The code is required before award, but the rule says not to delay an offer while waiting for it.FAR 52.204-16

What to have ready

  • Legal business name and physical address (no P.O. box), matching official records
  • Non-U.S. companies: an NCAGE code before starting SAM.gov registration
  • CAGE or NCAGE codes of the immediate owner and highest-level owner, if another entity owns or controls the company
  • U.S. companies: the TIN used in SAM.gov (SAM.gov validates TIN and CAGE data)

Time, cost, renewal and where to send

TimeU.S. companies get the CAGE code through SAM.gov registration, which SAM.gov says can take up to 10 business days to become active. NSPA's pages do not give a processing time for NCAGE codes.
CostA CAGE code through SAM.gov is part of registration, and the SAM.gov checklist says SAM.gov registration is free. NSPA lists its NCAGE Code Request Tool under 'Free products' ('The basics, at no cost'). The national codification bureaus' fees are not listed on NSPA's pages.
RenewalSAM.gov registration must be renewed every 365 days. FAR 52.204-16 says guidance on establishing and maintaining CAGE codes is at cage.dla.mil.
Where to sendU.S.: through the SAM.gov registration, or cage.dla.mil if not registering in SAM.gov. Outside the U.S.: the national codification bureau (NATO members and sponsored nations) or NSPA's NCAGE Code Request Tool (all other countries). NSPA says the codification bureaus of the USA, Italy and Great Britain take NCAGE requests through their own national websites.

Where to get help

Watch out

  • Non-U.S. companies cannot start a SAM.gov registration without an NCAGE code, and without their foreign immediate owner's NCAGE code if they have one (SAM.gov checklist).
  • A CAGE code identifies one location. For classified work listed on a DD Form 254, each subcontractor location needs its own CAGE code (FAR 52.204-16).
  • The name and address on an offer must match the CAGE record (FAR 52.204-16).
  • The SAM.gov checklist says the 'State of Incorporation' question is for U.S. entities only; entities outside the U.S. may need to give other information.
  • NSPA says the national codification bureaus of Italy and Great Britain require NCAGE requests through their own national websites, not the NSPA tool.
  • The NSPA address printed in FAR 52.204-16 and the SAM.gov checklist (eportal.nspa.nato.int/AC135Public/scage/CageList.aspx) now forwards to the NATO AC/135 home page, which links to the NCAGE Code Request Tool.

Official sources

SBA Small Business Search (SBS) profile

Who it is for. Small businesses registered in SAM.gov (the System for Award Management) that list at least one NAICS (North American Industry Classification System) code under which they are small.

Small Business Search (SBS) is SBA's search engine for small businesses registered in SAM.gov. It replaced the Dynamic Small Business Search (DSBS), and the old dsbs.sba.gov address now forwards to SBS. SBA tells federal contracting officers they are required to use SBS in market research, including to decide on set-asides and sole-source awards.

Steps

  1. Finish and activate SAM.gov firstSBA says the information entered in SAM.gov is used to fill SBS. The SAM.gov checklist says that if at least one small-business NAICS code is selected, SAM.gov gives a link to the SBA Supplemental Page to complete the SBA profile.SAM.gov entity registration
  2. Wait 3 to 4 business days after activationSBS says the TIN (Taxpayer Identification Number) in SBS updates 3 to 4 business days after SAM.gov activates the business. The TIN must be the EIN (Employer Identification Number) or SSN (Social Security number) used in SAM.gov.SBA Small Business Search
  3. Create an account and claim the businessGo to search.certifications.sba.gov and use the business owner login. Claim the business with its UEI (Unique Entity ID, 12 characters), CAGE code (5 characters) and TIN (9 digits). SBS says the Primary Qualifying Owner must do this, and a business can be claimed by only one account.Claim a business in SBS
  4. Check what comes from SAM.govSBS says NAICS codes, address and contact details come from SAM.gov and must be changed there. In SBS you can hide the phone, email, address and fax from public searches; federal users still see them.Update data in SAM.gov
  5. Write the capabilities narrativeDescribe what the business does in a short paragraph. SBS limits it to under 1,000 characters.SBS profile
  6. Add keywordsType comma-separated keywords that describe the business, 750 characters or less. Buyers can filter SBS results by keyword.SBS profile
  7. Upload a capabilities statementUpload a PDF, or enter a link to a public PDF. SBS says a new upload replaces the old file or link and cannot be undone.SBS profile
  8. Fill in the other sectionsSBS also has fields for an additional website, trade name (doing business as), special equipment and materials (under 500 characters), bonding levels, quality assurance standards, export activity, performance history with reference contacts, principal owners, and non-federal certifications.SBS profile
  9. Sign the certification statementWhen submitting, you certify that the business is small under the size standards for its listed NAICS codes, is not debarred or suspended, that ownership in SAM.gov is accurate, that you reviewed the profile, and that you are authorized to certify.SBS profile
  10. Know what buyers searchSBS lets buyers filter by location (state, county, ZIP code, congressional district, metro area), SBA certifications, NAICS code (with an option for primary NAICS only), business type and self-certifications, keywords, last profile update, quality assurance standards, bonding levels, SAM.gov status, size and annual revenue. The main search box searches name, UEI, CAGE code, narrative and keywords.SBA Small Business Search

What to have ready

  • UEI (Unique Entity ID) from SAM.gov
  • CAGE code (any valid one if the business has several)
  • TIN: the EIN or SSN used in SAM.gov
  • Capabilities narrative, under 1,000 characters
  • Keyword list, 750 characters or less
  • Capabilities statement as a PDF
  • Past contracts with reference contact details (performance history)
  • Quality assurance standards and bonding levels, if any

Time, cost, renewal and where to send

TimeClaiming works 3 to 4 business days after SAM.gov activates the registration, according to SBS. SBS says profile changes show in search right away or within the next business day.
CostFree. SBS says SBA will not charge for SBS content or profile management.
RenewalSBS does not list a separate renewal. Its data comes from SAM.gov, which must be renewed every 365 days. Buyers can exclude firms with expired SAM.gov registrations and filter by last profile update. SBA's WOSB (Women-Owned Small Business) program page says firms must update SAM.gov annually to keep their SBS profile active.
Where to sendClaim and edit the profile at search.certifications.sba.gov. Change NAICS codes, address and contacts in SAM.gov. SBS support: search@sba.gov. TIN questions: Federal Service Desk.

Where to get help

Watch out

  • SBS says 'Certify.us' is not affiliated with SBA, and SBA will not demand documents or information by email about SBS, including capability statements.
  • If a business opted out of public search in SAM.gov, the public sees only a limited SBS profile. SBS says SBA certification data is always searchable.
  • SBS says number of employees and average gross revenue are visible only to logged-in federal users.
  • SBS says ownership traits (self-certifications) come from SAM.gov and are not vetted by SBA.
  • Claiming a business in SBS or MySBA Certifications links the Okta sign-in account to that UEI in both systems, according to SBS.
  • Since August 1, 2025, SBS no longer shows VOSB and SDVOSB (veteran-owned and service-disabled veteran-owned) joint venture designations.
  • SBA's contracting-officials page: contracts from $15,000 to $350,000 are automatically set aside for small businesses, and contracts of $350,000 or more are set aside if two or more small businesses could do the work.
  • Some SAM.gov pages still link to the old DSBS address. It forwards to SBS.

Official sources

Last checked September 25, 2026. Rules, fees and programs change; the official sources are where to confirm them before applying or spending money.

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