> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.civiccontracts.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# NAICS and PSC codes

> How NAICS and PSC classification codes work in government contracting — and how to use them in Civic AI search and alerts.

Agencies classify purchases using **NAICS** (industry) and **PSC/FSC** (product/service) codes. Getting these right makes search, alerts, and SAM.gov registration work in your favor.

## NAICS codes

NAICS describes **what industry you operate in**. Examples:

| Code   | Industry                                           |
| ------ | -------------------------------------------------- |
| 541512 | Computer Systems Design Services                   |
| 236220 | Commercial and Institutional Building Construction |
| 561720 | Janitorial Services                                |
| 541330 | Engineering Services                               |

You list NAICS codes on SAM.gov. Agencies attach NAICS to solicitations and apply **SBA size standards** to determine small business eligibility for each code.

## PSC / FSC codes

PSC (Product Service Code) and FSC (Federal Supply Class) describe **what is being bought**:

| Code family | Examples                                             |
| ----------- | ---------------------------------------------------- |
| **R**       | Professional, administrative, and management support |
| **D**       | IT and telecom services                              |
| **J**       | Maintenance, repair, and rebuilding of equipment     |
| **Y**       | Construction of structures and facilities            |

Use PSC to narrow searches when NAICS alone is too broad.

## Using codes in Civic AI

You do not need to memorize codes to search — plain English works. But codes help when you:

1. **Build saved searches** — combine agency name + NAICS keyword
2. **Validate fit** — compare solicitation NAICS to your SAM profile
3. **Size markets** — filter awards by NAICS to see spend concentration

Example queries:

* "Open solicitations NAICS 541512 — federal"
* "Construction awards PSC Y1ZZ — Texas"

<Card title="NAICS and PSC codes guide" icon="book-open" href="https://www.civiccontracts.com/blog/naics-and-psc-codes">
  Full guide to choosing and analyzing codes on the blog.
</Card>

## Picking your codes

<Steps>
  <Step title="List your core services">
    Write what you sell in plain language first.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Map to 3–7 NAICS codes">
    Choose codes that match your revenue, not aspirational markets.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add PSC where relevant">
    Especially for product-heavy or construction businesses.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Register on SAM.gov">
    Align your profile codes with how you search and bid.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Related pages

* [Glossary](/reference/glossary)
* [Federal contracts](/find-opportunities/federal-contracts)
* [Small business set-asides](/find-opportunities/small-business-set-asides)