NAICS Code Guide
Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services · SBA Size Standard: 1,000 employees · ~25,000 registered entities
NAICS 541715 is the primary code for R&D contractors — SBIR/STTR awardees, DoD basic research, NIH research services, and DOE national lab support.
About NAICS 541715
NAICS 541715 covers R&D in physical, engineering, and life sciences — the primary code for companies performing federally funded research. This includes SBIR/STTR awardees, DoD basic research labs, DOE national laboratory contractors, NIH research service vendors, and aerospace R&D firms. DARPA, ONR, AFOSR, ARO, and NIH are frequent buyers. The SBIR/STTR program exclusively targets companies under 541715 and related R&D codes.
541715
NAICS Code
1,000 employees
SBA Size Standard
25,000
Registered Entities
Applicable Set-Aside Programs
Companies that qualify under NAICS 541715 and hold applicable SBA certifications can compete for set-aside contracts reserved for these programs. Certifications are linked to your CAGE code record in SAM.gov.
Learn about set-aside programs →Top Federal Buyers Under NAICS 541715
These agencies award the most contract dollars under this NAICS code. See full award data on FedAtlas.com.
SBIR/STTR and NAICS 541715
The SBIR (Small Business Innovation Research) and STTR (Small Business Technology Transfer) programs are exclusively for small businesses conducting R&D. To compete, you must:
- Be a US-based, for-profit small business (fewer than 500 employees)
- Have an active CAGE code and SAM.gov registration
- List an appropriate R&D NAICS code (541715 or 541714) in your SAM profile
SBIR awards are structured in phases: Phase I (~$200K feasibility), Phase II (~$1.7M prototype), and Phase III (commercialization). No set-aside percentage applies — SBIR is its own competition.
Look Up a NAICS 541715 Vendor
Decode any CAGE code to verify a vendor's primary NAICS code, SAM status, and certifications.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between 541714 and 541715?
541714 covers R&D in biotechnology. 541715 covers R&D in all other physical, engineering, and life sciences (excluding biotech). Many life sciences firms list both.
What is the size standard for NAICS 541715?
1,000 employees for DoD, NASA, and Coast Guard programs. For civilian agencies it may vary — check the specific solicitation's NAICS size standard note.
Contract Award Data
NAICS 541715 Awards on FedAtlas.com
See every federal contract won under NAICS 541715 — by company, agency, state, and year.
NAICS 541715 Quick Facts
- Code
- 541715
- Sector
- Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
- SBA Size Standard
- 1,000 employees
Quick Decode
Related NAICS Codes
- 541512 Computer Systems Design Services
- 541511 Custom Computer Programming Service...
- 541519 Other Computer Related Services
- 541611 Administrative Management and Gener...
- 541330 Engineering Services