What Are NAICS Codes?
NAICS (North American Industry Classification System) codes are 6-digit numbers used to classify businesses by their primary economic activity. These codes are essential for government contracting as they determine your eligibility for specific contracts, set-aside programs, and size standards. The right NAICS codes can unlock millions in contract opportunities and give you access to exclusive programs worth over $150 billion annually.
The NAICS Code Hierarchy
Understanding the 6-Digit Classification System
How It Works
Each digit level becomes more specific, opening different contract opportunities. The more specific your code, the better your targeting—but broader codes can access more opportunities.
Example: 541511
54 - Professional Services
541 - Professional, Scientific & Technical
5415 - Computer Systems Design
54151 - Computer Systems Design Services
541511 - Custom Computer Programming
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Pro Tip from CLEATUS
Register multiple related NAICS codes to maximize your contract opportunities.
Why NAICS Codes Matter for Your Business
Unlock Set-Aside Opportunities
Access small business, woman-owned, veteran-owned, and minority set-aside contracts worth $150+ billion annually. The right NAICS codes determine your eligibility for these exclusive programs that significantly reduce competition.
Better Contract Targeting
Match to contracts specifically seeking your industry classification. Agencies often specify NAICS codes in their solicitations, and having the right codes increases your win rate by 3x compared to broad applications.
Size Standard Compliance
Understand qualification thresholds for different contract types. Each NAICS code has specific size standards that determine your small business status and eligibility for various programs and contract types.
Market Intelligence
Track spending trends and opportunities in your NAICS codes. Historical award data reveals which agencies are spending money in your industry and helps you identify emerging opportunities before your competitors.
Avoid These Costly NAICS Code Mistakes
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Problem: Using Only One Code
Missing 60% of opportunities
CLEATUS Solution:
Register 3-5 related codes
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Problem: Choosing Too Broad
Competing against giants
CLEATUS Solution:
Find the sweet spot
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Problem: Ignoring Set-Asides
Missing $150B+ in contracts
CLEATUS Solution:
Leverage small business codes
How to Choose the Right NAICS Codes
1
Identify Your Primary Business Activity
Determine what generates the majority of your revenue. This becomes your primary NAICS code for government registration and size standard calculations.
2
Research Secondary Codes
Identify 3-5 additional NAICS codes that represent other services or products you can provide to expand your contract opportunities.
3
Use NAICS Code Search Tools
CLEATUS' NAICS Code Finder helps identify relevant codes and provides insights into contract opportunities and competition levels for each code.
4
Verify Size Standards
Check the size standards for each code to ensure you qualify as a small business and understand revenue thresholds for different programs.
How CLEATUS Optimizes Your NAICS Strategy
AI-Powered Code Recommendations
Our AI analyzes your business description and recommends the optimal primary and secondary NAICS codes to maximize your contract eligibility and competitive positioning.
Contract Opportunity Matching
Automatically match your NAICS codes to live solicitations and track historical awards in your industry to identify the most lucrative opportunities.
Set-Aside Program Qualification
Get insights into which set-aside programs you qualify for based on your NAICS codes, including size standards and eligibility requirements.
