Small Business Size Standards for Professional, Scientific and Technical Services

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) size standards described in this section apply to all SBA programs unless otherwise specified in this Part. The size standards themselves are expressed either in number of employees or annual receipts in millions of dollars, unless otherwise specified. The number of employees or annual receipts indicates the maximum allowed for a concern and its affiliates to be considered small.

Small Business Size Standards by NAICS Industry
NAICS code NAICS U.S. Industry Title Size Standards in millions of dollars Size Standards in number of employees
541 Professional, Scientific and Technical Services:
541110 Offices of Lawyers $7.0  
541191 Title Abstract and Settlement Offices $7.0  
541199 All Other Legal Services $7.0  
541211 Offices of Certified Public Accountants $8.5  
541213 Tax Preparation Services $7.0  
541214 Payroll Services $8.5  
541219 Other Accounting Services $8.5  
541310 Architectural Services $4.5  
541320 Landscape Architectural Services $7.0  
541330 Engineering Services $4.5  
Except, Military and Aerospace Equipment and Military Weapons $27.0  
Except, Contracts and Subcontracts for Engineering Services Awarded Under the National Energy Policy Act of 1992 $27.0  
Except, Marine Engineering and Naval Architecture $18.5  
541340 Drafting Services $7.0  
Except, Map Drafting $4.5  
541350 Building Inspection Services $7.0  
541360 Geophysical Surveying and Mapping Services $4.5  
541370 Surveying and Mapping (except Geophysical) Services $4.5  
541380 Testing Laboratories $12.0  
541410 Interior Design Services $7.0  
541420 Industrial Design Services $7.0  
541430 Graphic Design Services $7.0  
541490 Other Specialized Design Services $7.0  
541511 Custom Computer Programming Services $25.0  
541512 Computer Systems Design Services $25.0  
541513 Computer Facilities Management Services $25.0  
541519 Other Computer Related Services $25.0  
Except, Information Technology Value Added Resellers*   150
541611 Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services $7.0  
541612 Human Resources and Executive Search Consulting Services $7.0  
541613 Marketing Consulting Services $7.0  
541614 Process, Physical Distribution and Logistics Consulting Services $7.0  
541618 Other Management Consulting Services $7.0  
541620 Environmental Consulting Services $7.0  
541690 Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services $7.0  
541711 Research and Development in Biotechnology**   500
541712 Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)**   500
Except, Aircraft   1,500
Except, Aircraft Parts, and Auxiliary Equipment, and Aircraft Engine Parts   1,000
Except, Space Vehicles and Guided Missiles, their Propulsion Units, their Propulsion Units Parts, and their Auxiliary Equipment and Parts   1,000
541720 Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities $7.0  
541810 Advertising Agencies*** $7.0  
541820 Public Relations Agencies $7.0  
541830 Media Buying Agencies $7.0  
541840 Media Representatives $7.0  
541850 Display Advertising $7.0  
541860 Direct Mail Advertising $7.0  
541870 Advertising Material Distribution Services $7.0  
541890 Other Services Related to Advertising $7.0  
541910 Marketing Research and Public Opinion Polling $7.0  
541921 Photography Studios, Portrait $7.0  
541922 Commercial Photography $7.0  
541930 Translation and Interpretation Services $7.0  
541940 Veterinary Services $7.0  
541990 All Other Professional, Scientific and Technical Services $7.0  

* An Information Technology Value Added Reseller provides a total solution to information technology acquisitions by providing multi-vendor hardware and software along with significant services. Significant value added services consist of, but are not limited to, configuration consulting and design, systems integration, installation of multi-vendor computer equipment, customization of hardware or software, training, product technical support, maintenance, and end user support. For purposes of Government procurement, an information technology procurement classified under this industry category must consist of at least 15% and not more than 50% of value added services as measured by the total price less the cost of information technology hardware, computer software, and profit. If the contract consists of less than 15% of value added services, then it must be classified under a NAICS manufacturing industry. If the contract consists of more than 50% of value added services, then it must be classified under the NAICS industry that best describes the predominate service of the procurement. To qualify as an Information Technology Value Added Reseller for purposes of SBA assistance, other than for Government procurement, a concern must be primarily engaged in providing information technology equipment and computer software and provide value added services which account for at least 15% of its receipts but not more than 50% of its receipts.

** For research and development contracts requiring the delivery of a manufactured product, the appropriate size standard is that of the manufacturing industry.

(a) "Research and Development" means laboratory or other physical research and development. It does not include economic, educational, engineering, operations, systems, or other nonphysical research; or computer programming, data processing, commercial and/or medical laboratory testing.

(b) For purposes of the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program only, a different definition has been established by law. See Sec. 121.701 of these regulations.

(c) "Research and Development" for guided missiles and space vehicles includes evaluations and simulation, and other services requiring thorough knowledge of complete missiles and spacecraft.

*** As measured by total revenues, but excluding funds received in trust for an unaffiliated third party, such as bookings or sales subject to commissions. The commissions received are included as revenue.

Read more about Small Business Size Regulations for Other Industries.

 

Source: Code of Federal Regulations, Title 13, Part 121 - Small Business Size Regulations