NAICS Codes for DLA Vehicle Parts: Which Ones Your Machine Shop Needs (2026)

Published: May 16, 2026

NAICS codes are the gateway to DLA contracts. If your machine shop isn't registered with the right codes, you'll never even see the solicitations you're qualified for — and you certainly won't win them. Here's a practical guide to the NAICS codes that matter most for DLA vehicle parts work.

What Is a NAICS Code?

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) is a 6-digit code that categorizes your business by what it does. When you register in SAM.gov, you select up to 5 NAICS codes. DLA contracting officers use these codes to find qualified vendors, and the codes determine whether you qualify for small business set-asides.

Key NAICS Codes for DLA Vehicle Parts

Here are the most relevant codes for machine shops pursuing DLA vehicle parts contracts (runflats, lubricants, filters, gaskets, and related components):

NAICS Code	Description	Size Standard	Relevance
332710	Machine Shops	500 employees	Primary code for CNC machining of vehicle parts
332999	All Other Miscellaneous Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing	500 employees	Runflat assemblies, brackets, fabricated components
336390	Other Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturing	1,000 employees	Vehicle-specific parts including runflat kits
332912	Fluid Power Valve and Hose Fitting Manufacturing	750 employees	Hydraulic fittings, fluid system components
325999	All Other Miscellaneous Chemical Product Manufacturing	500 employees	Specialty lubricants, sealants, compounds
333999	All Other Miscellaneous General Purpose Machinery Manufacturing	500 employees	Filters, filtration equipment, general hardware

How Many Codes Should You Register?

Register for every code that honestly describes work your shop can perform. If you do CNC machining AND fabricate metal assemblies, register both 332710 and 332999. More codes mean more solicitation matches. However, don't register codes for work you can't do — if you win a contract outside your capability, you'll fail performance and damage your past performance record.

        Important: The "size standard" column shows the maximum number of employees (or revenue threshold for some codes) to qualify as a small business. If your shop has 150 employees, you qualify as a small business under all the codes above. This unlocks set-aside contracts where you compete only against other small businesses — a significant advantage.
    

How to Add or Update NAICS Codes in SAM.gov

Updating your NAICS codes is straightforward:

Log in to SAM.gov with your entity administrator account.
Navigate to your entity record and select "Update Entity."
Go to the "NAICS Codes" section under "Goods & Services."
Add or remove codes as needed. You can select up to 5.
Save and submit. Changes typically process within 1-3 business days.

Primary vs. Secondary Codes

Your first NAICS code is your "primary" — it's what the government considers your core business. Choose the code that best represents your highest-revenue activity. For most machine shops pursuing DLA work, that's 332710 (Machine Shops). Your secondary codes broaden your reach without diluting your profile.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Registering too few codes: You'll miss solicitations that use adjacent codes.
Using outdated codes: NAICS codes are updated every 5 years. Make sure you're using the current 2022 revision.
Ignoring size standards: A code with a 500-employee cap is useless if your shop has 600 employees — you won't qualify for set-asides under that code.
Not updating after growth: If you've added new capabilities (say, you now do assembly work in addition to machining), add the corresponding NAICS code.

Getting your NAICS codes right is a one-time setup that pays dividends for years. Every DLA solicitation you're matched to, every set-aside you qualify for, and every contract you win starts with having the correct codes in SAM.gov.

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