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NAICS Code· 423710

NAICS 423710: Hardware Merchant Wholesalers

This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in the merchant wholesale distribution of hardware, knives, or handtools. Illustrative Examples: Brads merchant wholesalers Cutlery merchant wholesalers Knives (except disposable plastics) merchant wholesalers Power handtools (e.g., drills, saws, sanders) merchant wholesalers Fasteners (e.g., bolts, nuts, rivets, screws) merchant wholesalers Staples merchant wholesalers Handtools (except motor vehicle, machinists' precision) merchant wholesalers Hardware (except motor vehicle) merchant wholesalers Tacks merchant wholesalers Keys and locks merchant wholesalers Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in--Show more

NAICS 423710 – Hardware Merchant Wholesalers encompasses the wholesale distribution of hardware products including computer peripherals, networking equipment, servers, storage devices, industrial electronics, and related components to institutional, commercial, and government buyers. This sector serves as a critical supply chain link in the federal procurement ecosystem, enabling agencies to acquire essential IT and operational hardware without direct manufacturing involvement.

48
Active Contracts
$53.6M
Total Obligations (12mo)
74.7K
Awarded Contracts (12mo)
42
Contractors Awarded (12mo)
22
Median Bidders per Award
+11.4%
YoY Growth

Industry Spending Overview

Federal obligations, top contractors and agencies, and related industry codes for NAICS 423710.

AI Industry Description

NAICS 423710 – Hardware Merchant Wholesalers encompasses the wholesale distribution of hardware products including computer peripherals, networking equipment, servers, storage devices, industrial electronics, and related components to institutional, commercial, and government buyers. This sector ser...

NAICS 423710 – Hardware Merchant Wholesalers encompasses the wholesale distribution of hardware products including computer peripherals, networking equipment, servers, storage devices, industrial electronics, and related components to institutional, commercial, and government buyers. This sector serves as a critical supply chain link in the federal procurement ecosystem, enabling agencies to acquire essential IT and operational hardware without direct manufacturing involvement. Wholesalers in this category typically operate as intermediaries, sourcing products from global manufacturers and delivering them through established distribution channels, often under GSA Schedule contracts or other federal acquisition frameworks. Their role is foundational to maintaining readiness across defense, transportation, and international development missions that rely on scalable, reliable hardware infrastructure. Top contractors in this sector include SUPPLY KING USA, LLC, HIGH PLAINS COMPUTING INC, ALTITUDE TECHNOLOGIES INC., and NISBETS P L C, representing a mix of small businesses and mid-sized distributors with specialized expertise in government-compliant procurement, logistics, and IT hardware sourcing. These firms often hold multiple GSA Schedule contracts and demonstrate strong capabilities in rapid fulfillment, compliance with FAR and DFARS requirements, and support for classified or controlled environments. Primary acquiring agencies include the General Services Administration, Department of Transportation, Agency for International Development, and Department of Defense. These agencies procure hardware to support fleet telemetry systems, IT modernization initiatives, overseas infrastructure projects, and field-deployable computing environments, driving consistent demand for ruggedized, standardized, and certified components. The competitive landscape is characterized by high opportunity density among small and mid-tier distributors with GSA Schedule access and strong logistics networks. Contractors with proven track records in government compliance, just-in-time delivery, and technical documentation support are best positioned to capture recurring orders. Demand remains steady across mission-critical programs, with increasing emphasis on supply chain resilience and domestic sourcing preferences.

Small Business Size Standard

The SBA threshold that decides who can bid NAICS 423710 work as a small business.

150 employees
Applies to the whole industry code

The SBA cap for this NAICS (13 CFR 121.201). A business at or under it can self-certify as small for work in this code, which is what makes it eligible for a small-business set-aside. The cap is set per NAICS, so the same company can be small in one code and not in another.

13 CFR 121.201, effective January 1, 2026. The SBA revises the table roughly once a year.

Top Contractors

Companies with the highest total award value under NAICS 423710, ranked by dollars won.

Competition

How many companies historically bid on federal awards in NAICS 423710, from bidder counts reported on USAspending.

Crowded Field

Median above 5 bidders per reported award. · 387,263 reported awards

Median Bidders

22

Per reported award, all-time

Single-Bid Awards

5%

Share of reported awards with one bidder

10+ Bidder Awards

87%

Share of reported awards with 10+ bidders

Reported Awards

387,263

59% of 660,911 total awards

Bidder Count Distribution by Fiscal Year

Share of reported awards in each bidder-count bracket per federal fiscal year.

How this code compares up the NAICS hierarchy. Parent cohorts pool every code under their prefix, so they are the steadier baseline when a 6-digit sample is thin.

Industry FamilyCompetitionMedian BiddersSingle-BidBidder MixReported Awards
423710This Code
Hardware Merchant Wholesalers
Crowded Field225%
387,26359% of 660,911
42371NAICS Industry
Crowded Field225%
387,26359% of 660,911
4237Industry Group
Hardware, and Plumbing and Heating Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers
Crowded Field227%
409,23060% of 684,191
423Subsector
Fewer Bidders224%
4,646,33738% of 12,317,116
42Sector
Wholesale Trade
Moderate Competition318%
7,852,24141% of 19,092,105

Bidder counts reported on past federal awards in this NAICS (USAspending). An open opportunity has no bidders yet, so this is the historical norm for similar work, not a fact about this solicitation. Not all awards report bidder counts, and fewer bidders often means incumbent-held work rather than an easier win. Federal reporting of bidder counts fell from ~96% of awards (FY2016) to ~30% (FY2018 onward); the chart shows shares of reported awards, and washed-out stretches mark years with fewer than 30 of them.

Related NAICS Codes

Industries similar to Hardware Merchant Wholesalers, by shared sector, subsector, and industry group.

Plumbing and Heating Equipment and Supplies (Hydronics) Merchant Wholesalers

This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in the merchant wholesale distribution of p...
423720Same Industry GroupHigh Similarity

Warm Air Heating and Air-Conditioning Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers

This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in the merchant wholesale distribution of w...
423730Same Industry GroupHigh Similarity

Refrigeration Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers

This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in the merchant wholesale distribution of r...
423740Same Industry GroupHigh Similarity

Automobile and Other Motor Vehicle Merchant Wholesalers

This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in the merchant wholesale distribution of n...
423110Same SubsectorMedium Similarity

Motor Vehicle Supplies and New Parts Merchant Wholesalers

This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in the merchant wholesale distribution of m...
423120Same SubsectorMedium Similarity

Tire and Tube Merchant Wholesalers

This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in the merchant wholesale distribution of n...
423130Same SubsectorMedium Similarity

Motor Vehicle Parts (Used) Merchant Wholesalers

This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in the merchant wholesale distribution of u...
423140Same SubsectorMedium Similarity

Furniture Merchant Wholesalers

This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in the merchant wholesale distribution of f...
423210Same SubsectorMedium Similarity

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NAICS 423710 FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

NAICS code 423710 covers Hardware Merchant Wholesalers. This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in the merchant wholesale distribution of hardware, knives, or handtools. Illustrative Examples: Brads merchant wholesalers Cutlery merchant wholesalers Knives (except disposable plastics) merchant wholesalers Power handtools (e.g., drills, saws, sanders) merchant wholesalers Fasteners (e.g., bolts, nuts, rivets, screws) merchant wholesalers Staples merchant wholesalers Handtools (except motor vehicle, machinists' precision) merchant wholesalers Hardware (except motor vehicle) merchant wholesalers Tacks merchant wholesalers Keys and locks merchant wholesalers Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in--

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