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NAICS Data Dictionary

This document describes the fields available in the NAICS API endpoints (/api/naics/). For filtering, ordering, and pagination, see the NAICS API Reference.

External references

Overview

NAICS (North American Industry Classification System) codes are industry classification codes used in federal contracting. Each code has a numeric code (primary key) and description. Detail responses also include SBA size standards and obligation rollups.

Note: This endpoint supports response shaping via the shape query parameter. On list requests, the default shape is code,description. Detail requests and ?show_limits=1 default to code,description,size_standards(*),federal_obligations(*). The legacy ?show_limits=1 parameter is still accepted but shaping is preferred.

Update Frequency

NAICS reference data is updated when size standards or code lists are refreshed (periodic).

Fields

Field Type Description Source
code Integer NAICS code (primary key). NAICS / SBA
description String NAICS industry description. NAICS / SBA
size_standards Expansion SBA size standards for this NAICS. Expand with size_standards(employee_limit,revenue_limit) or size_standards(*). revenue_limit is in whole dollars. Included in detail/show_limits default shape. SBA
federal_obligations Expansion Obligation rollups for this NAICS. Expand with federal_obligations(total,active) or federal_obligations(*). Each sub-object has awards_obligated (float) and awards_count (int). Included in detail/show_limits default shape. Tango (derived from awards)

Metrics: Time-series obligation metrics are available at /api/naics/{code}/metrics/<months>/<period_grouping>/; see Metrics.

Data Sources

  • NAICS / SBA – Code descriptions and size standards.
  • Tango – year, obligation rollups (via metrics endpoint).

Usage Notes

  • NAICS codes are hierarchical — 2-digit sector, 3-digit subsector, up to 6-digit national industry codes.
  • Use search for text-based lookup; use code for exact match. Filter by search, revenue_limit, employee_limit; see NAICS API Reference.
  • Size standards and federal obligations are available as shaping expansions. Expand with size_standards(*) or federal_obligations(*); see Response Shaping.
  • NAICS codes are updated periodically by the Census Bureau. Tango reflects the current revision.
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