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NAICS Code· 541860

NAICS 541860: Direct Mail Advertising

This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in (1) creating and designing advertising campaigns for the purpose of distributing advertising materials (e.g., coupons, flyers, samples) or specialties (e.g., keychains, magnets, pens with customized messages imprinted) by mail or other direct distribution and/or (2) preparing such advertising materials or specialties for mailing or other direct distribution. These establishments may also compile, maintain, sell, and rent mailing lists. Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in--Show more

NAICS 541860 – Direct Mail Advertising encompasses the design, production, and distribution of targeted physical mail campaigns intended to promote government programs, services, or public initiatives. Postal Service regulations.

6
Active Contracts
$29K
Total Obligations (12mo)
3
Awarded Contracts (12mo)
3
Contractors Awarded (12mo)
1
Median Bidders per Award
-97.5%
YoY Growth

Industry Spending Overview

Federal obligations, top contractors and agencies, and related industry codes for NAICS 541860.

AI Industry Description

NAICS 541860 – Direct Mail Advertising encompasses the design, production, and distribution of targeted physical mail campaigns intended to promote government programs, services, or public initiatives. This sector includes the development of printed materials such as brochures, postcards, newsletter...

NAICS 541860 – Direct Mail Advertising encompasses the design, production, and distribution of targeted physical mail campaigns intended to promote government programs, services, or public initiatives. This sector includes the development of printed materials such as brochures, postcards, newsletters, and personalized letters, as well as the logistical coordination of mailing lists, address verification, postage procurement, and compliance with U.S. Postal Service regulations. In the federal contracting landscape, direct mail serves as a critical channel for public outreach, enrollment campaigns, benefit notifications, and civic engagement efforts, particularly where digital access is limited or where regulatory requirements favor tangible communication. It bridges the gap between digital strategy and physical outreach, often supporting mission-critical functions in health, education, social services, and veterans’ affairs. No contractor data is available to identify leading firms operating in this sector. However, contractors typically include specialized marketing services firms, print and fulfillment vendors, and small businesses with expertise in direct mail logistics and compliance. The competitive landscape is fragmented, with many niche providers offering tailored solutions rather than large-scale primes. No agency data is available to identify primary buyers. Nevertheless, agencies with large public-facing programs—such as those managing healthcare enrollment, retirement benefits, disaster relief, or military family services—are likely to utilize direct mail for high-impact, auditable communication. The market for direct mail advertising in government contracting remains steady but evolves with shifting communication preferences and postal regulations. Opportunities exist for contractors with strong compliance capabilities, data privacy expertise, and experience in scalable, geographically targeted mail operations. Demand is often driven by cyclical program launches or legislative mandates, creating intermittent but high-priority procurement windows.

Small Business Size Standard

The SBA threshold that decides who can bid NAICS 541860 work as a small business.

$22.0M
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 541860, ranked by dollars won.

Ranked by total awards

Top Agencies

Federal agencies directing the most contract spending toward NAICS 541860.

Competition

How many companies historically bid on federal awards in NAICS 541860, from bidder counts reported on USAspending.

Usually Single-Bid

Half or more of reported awards drew exactly one bidder, usually a sign of incumbent-held work rather than an open field. · 596 reported awards

Median Bidders

1

Per reported award, all-time

Single-Bid Awards

66%

Share of reported awards with one bidder

10+ Bidder Awards

10%

Share of reported awards with 10+ bidders

Reported Awards

596

85% of 701 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
541860This Code
Direct Mail Advertising
Usually Single-Bid166%
59685% of 701
54186NAICS Industry
Usually Single-Bid166%
59685% of 701
5418Industry Group
Advertising, Public Relations, and Related Services
Usually Single-Bid157%
31,71682% of 38,674
541Subsector
Fewer Bidders249%
2,918,78285% of 3,416,794
54Sector
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
Fewer Bidders249%
2,918,78285% of 3,416,794

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 Direct Mail Advertising, by shared sector, subsector, and industry group.

Explore contracts across multiple NAICS codes Browse all NAICS Codes

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NAICS 541860 FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

NAICS code 541860 covers Direct Mail Advertising. This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in (1) creating and designing advertising campaigns for the purpose of distributing advertising materials (e.g., coupons, flyers, samples) or specialties (e.g., keychains, magnets, pens with customized messages imprinted) by mail or other direct distribution and/or (2) preparing such advertising materials or specialties for mailing or other direct distribution. These establishments may also compile, maintain, sell, and rent mailing lists. Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in--

Recently Posted in Direct Mail Advertising

NAICS: 541860
SLED
Invitation for Bids (IFB) Mail House Services
Solicitation # 260546
The Orange County Transportation Authority is soliciting bids for mail house services to execute a multilingual postcard campaign aimed at increasing transportation awareness among multicultural communities in Orange County. The contract has a budget of $427,000 for a one-year term and will be awarded to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder on a lump sum basis. The selected contractor will be responsible for providing mailing lists, printing, mail preparation, postage, distribution, and reporting for bilingual postcards in Spanish, Vietnamese, Korean, and Chinese. Anticipated volume includes at least six mailings per year, with each ranging from 65,000 to 100,000 pieces, utilizing 100-pound matte-finish stock measuring 8.5 by 5.5 inches. Bidders must submit their proposals electronically via the OpenGov Procurement portal by 11:00 am on October 20, 2026. Required documentation includes a completed Price Summary Sheet, a Status of Past and Present Contracts Form, a List of Subcontractors, and three project references from the last two years. The contract mandates strict adherence to United States Postal Service regulations, Level 1 Health, Safety and Environmental Specifications, and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise participation goals. Additionally, the contractor must comply with the Davis-Bacon Act and California Labor Code regarding prevailing wages and certified payroll. Comprehensive insurance coverage, including commercial general liability and workers compensation, is required throughout the term of the agreement.
PACE-Public Outreach

POSTED

16 days ago

DEADLINE

in 6 days
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