United States Department of Veterans Affairs

FAQ - Small Business

  1. How do I know if I meet the size standards for a Small Business?

  2. What is a North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code?

  3. How do I know what my NAICS codes are?

  4. I am not considered a Small Business for some NAICS codes, am I still eligible for your program?

1.  How do I know if I meet the size standards for a Small Business?

We suggest that you schedule an appointment with the closest Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC).  This is a help organization funded by the Defense Logistics Agency to ensure Small Businesses understand Federal procurement rules.  The business coach will explain to you rules governing the size standards.  The business coach will also direct you to information on the internet where you can learn more details.

In a few instances, your business coach will recommend that you seek advice from the Small Business Administration (SBA) to determine if you meet the Small Business criteria for your industry.  We recommend you do this jointly with the PTAC business coach.  SBA contact information can be located at http://www.sba.gov/.  To find your closest PTAC, please visit http://www.aptac-us.org/new/.

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2.  What is a North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code?

A NAICS Code (pronounced Nakes) is a code designated by the North American Industry Classification System.  Federal contractors are required to register their NAICS codes for each product or service they plan to sell to the Government.  This is linked to the size standards which govern the Small Business set-asides and all subset categories.  The Verification Program requires businesses to register their NAICS codes in the VetBiz.gov Vendor Information Pages database to determine eligibility.

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3.  How do I know what my NAICS codes are?

  • You can use the search feature at http://www.census.gov/naics.  In the “2007 NAICS Search” box on the left side of that page, enter a keyword that describes your kind of business.  A list of primary business activities containing that keyword and the corresponding NAICS codes will appear.  Choose the one that most closely corresponds to your primary business activity, or refine your search to obtain other choices.

  • Rather than searching through a list of primary business activities, you may also view the complete 2012 NAICS structure with codes and titles by clicking on “For 2012 NAICS” on the left-hand column from the NAICS main webpage.  Then click on the two-digit sector code to see all the NAICS codes under that sector.  Then choose the six-digit code of your interest to see the corresponding definition, as well as cross-references and index items, when available.

  • If you know your old SIC code, you can also find the appropriate 2002 NAICS code by using the detailed conversion (concordance) between the 1987 SIC and 2002 NAICS codes available in Excel format for download at the “Concordances” link on this website.

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4.  I am not considered a Small Business for some NAICS codes, am I still eligible for your program?

You cannot be Verified as a Veteran-Owned Small Business if you are not considered a Small Business under the North American Industry Classification System.  However, if you are considered small under other NAICS codes, you may omit the codes for which your business does not qualify, and list only those under which you are considered small.