NAICS 523160: Commodity Contracts Intermediation
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in acting as principals (i.e., investors who buy or sell for their own account) in buying or selling spot or futures commodity contracts or options, such as precious metals, foreign currency, oil, or agricultural products, generally on a spread basis, or acting as agents (i.e., brokers) in buying or selling spot or futures commodity contracts or options on a commission or transaction fee basis. Illustrative Examples: Commodity contract trading companies Commodity contracts brokerages Commodity futures brokerages Futures commodity contracts dealing (i.e., acting as a principal in dealing commodities to investors) Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in--Show more
NAICS 523160 – Commodity Contracts Intermediation refers to the facilitation of contracts for the purchase and sale of physical commodities, such as agricultural products, metals, energy resources, and other raw materials, through third-party intermediaries. These intermediaries act as brokers or agents between buyers and sellers, often managing logistics, pricing risk, and regulatory compliance for government procurement of essential materials.
Industry Spending Overview
Federal obligations, top contractors and agencies, and related industry codes for NAICS 523160.
AI Industry Description
NAICS 523160 – Commodity Contracts Intermediation refers to the facilitation of contracts for the purchase and sale of physical commodities, such as agricultural products, metals, energy resources, and other raw materials, through third-party intermediaries. These intermediaries act as brokers or ag...
NAICS 523160 – Commodity Contracts Intermediation refers to the facilitation of contracts for the purchase and sale of physical commodities, such as agricultural products, metals, energy resources, and other raw materials, through third-party intermediaries. These intermediaries act as brokers or agents between buyers and sellers, often managing logistics, pricing risk, and regulatory compliance for government procurement of essential materials. This sector supports mission-critical supply chains for agencies requiring bulk commodity procurement, particularly where price volatility, global sourcing, or specialized trading expertise is required. It occupies a niche within the broader federal procurement ecosystem, bridging commercial commodity markets with public sector acquisition needs under frameworks like the Federal Acquisition Regulation. No contractor data is available to identify leading firms operating in this NAICS code. Typically, firms in this space include specialized commodity trading firms, licensed brokers, and occasionally large primes with dedicated supply chain divisions, though many may operate under broader NAICS classifications such as 523990 or 423130. No agency data is available to identify primary buyers. However, agencies with large-scale logistical or operational needs—such as the Department of Defense for fuel and food supplies, the General Services Administration for bulk procurement, or the Department of Agriculture for commodity distribution programs—are likely consumers of these intermediation services. The competitive landscape for Commodity Contracts Intermediation is fragmented and highly specialized, with opportunity density concentrated in agencies managing high-volume, price-sensitive procurement. Contractors with expertise in futures markets, USDA commodity programs, or international trade compliance are best positioned to compete. Demand is driven by supply chain resilience initiatives and the need for transparent, efficient procurement of essential materials, creating openings for firms with proven risk management and regulatory adherence capabilities.
Small Business Size Standard
The SBA threshold that decides who can bid NAICS 523160 work as a small business.
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 523160, ranked by dollars won.
| Company | Total Awards | Contracts |
|---|---|---|
| COINBASE INC | $4.4M | 1 |
| COMMAND SERVICES & SUPPORT, INC. | $4.0M | 1 |
Top Agencies
Federal agencies directing the most contract spending toward NAICS 523160.
Competition
How many companies historically bid on federal awards in NAICS 523160, from bidder counts reported on USAspending.
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 Family | Competition | Median Bidders | Single-Bid | Bidder Mix | Reported Awards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
523160This Code Commodity Contracts Intermediation | Not enough reported data | — | — | — | 450% of 8 |
52316NAICS Industry | Not enough reported data | — | — | — | 450% of 8 |
5231Industry Group Securities and Commodity Contracts Intermediation and Brokerage | Usually Single-Bid | 1 | 60% | 1,00492% of 1,094 | |
523Subsector | Usually Single-Bid | 1 | 76% | 29,55095% of 31,253 | |
52Sector Finance and Insurance | Usually Single-Bid | 1 | 71% | 55,86385% of 65,585 |
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 Commodity Contracts Intermediation, by shared sector, subsector, and industry group.
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