What is the SBA size standard for NAICS 541511?

The SBA size standard for NAICS 541511 (Custom Computer Programming Services) is $34 million in average annual receipts, per 13 C.F.R. § 121.201.

Which federal agencies buy under NAICS 541511?

For FY2024 reporting, the leading federal customers under NAICS 541511 were Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Health and Human Services, Treasury. Live obligation data is available on USAspending.gov.

What FAR or DFARS clauses commonly apply to NAICS 541511 contracts?

Frequent clause flowdowns include DFARS 252.204-7012 (Safeguarding Covered Defense Information); FAR 52.227-14 (Rights in Data — General); FAR 52.227-19 (Commercial Computer Software License); FAR 52.219-14 (Limitations on Subcontracting). Each contract instrument will incorporate clauses by reference under FAR 52.252-2; this list reflects the high-frequency set for this NAICS, not an exhaustive flowdown.

Professional, Scientific, Technical Services

NAICS 541511 — Custom Computer Programming Services

Software development services tailored to a customer specification. The federal "build me an application" NAICS. Heavy use across DoD mission software, agency modernization, and intelligence community delivery.

Quick facts

SBA size standard: $34 million; Average annual receipts · 13 C.F.R. § 121.201
FY2024 federal obligations: $10B–$20B; See live USAspending.gov data →

Top federal customers

Federal agencies that obligate the most spending under NAICS 541511 (FY2024 reporting period). Order tracks federal-obligation volume on USAspending.gov.

1.Department of Defense
2.Department of Homeland Security
3.Department of Veterans Affairs
4.Department of Health and Human Services
5.Treasury

Set-aside fit

Whether NAICS 541511 commonly carries set-aside designations on federal awards. Eligibility for any specific solicitation is set by the contracting officer; this table reflects the FY2024 award pattern, not a guarantee of set-aside status.

SDVOSB (Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business)
8(a) Business Development Program
HUBZone Small Business
WOSB / EDWOSB
VOSB (Veteran-Owned Small Business)

Strong small-business set-aside surface. Frequently paired with 541512 on GWAC vehicles like CIO-SP4, Alliant, and OASIS.

Frequent prime contractors

Companies that most frequently appear as prime awardees under NAICS 541511 for FY2024. Drawn from USAspending.gov public award records — verify currency at the live link below.

Leidos
Booz Allen Hamilton
CACI International
SAIC
Peraton
Maximus
General Dynamics IT
IBM
Accenture Federal
KBR

See live award data on USAspending.gov →

Common FAR / DFARS clauses

Frequently flowed-down clauses on contracts in this NAICS. The clause text on acquisition.gov is authoritative; this list captures the practical pattern, not an exhaustive flowdown.

DFARS 252.204-7012Safeguarding Covered Defense Information
DoD software delivery routinely involves CUI. NIST 800-171 is non-negotiable.
FAR 52.227-14Rights in Data — General
Default rights position is unlimited rights to the government on funded development. Mark technical data and computer software with restrictions clearly per the SBIR data-rights window if applicable.
FAR 52.227-19Commercial Computer Software License
Default for commercial / off-the-shelf components delivered with the custom build.
FAR 52.219-14Limitations on Subcontracting
Services-based subcontracting limitation applies on set-aside awards.

Indirect rate considerations

Software firms running cost-reimbursable contracts must allocate developer time accurately to direct vs. indirect activities. R&D unallowable per FAR 31.205-48 unless explicitly funded. IR&D is allowable indirect under FAR 31.205-18. The distinction matters. Bid & Proposal labor is indirect (FAR 31.205-27).

See FieldLedger's Indirect Rate Engine for pool definition and rate tracking, or read the FieldLedger methodology for the underlying FAR Part 31 framework.

How FieldLedger fits NAICS 541511

Signed timekeeping with daily entry (the DCAA expectation), Indirect Rate Engine, project P&L for fixed-price-incentive and CPFF tasks. Equipment costing rarely material in this NAICS, so the overhead pool is simpler than 236xxx construction NAICS.

DCAA compliance →Indirect Rate Engine →DCAA readiness check →

Frequently asked

What is the SBA size standard for NAICS 541511?: The SBA size standard for NAICS 541511 (Custom Computer Programming Services) is $34 million in average annual receipts, per 13 C.F.R. § 121.201.
Is NAICS 541511 eligible for SDVOSB, 8(a), HUBZone, or WOSB set-asides?: Set-aside programs that commonly apply: SDVOSB, 8(a), HUBZone, WOSB, VOSB. Strong small-business set-aside surface. Frequently paired with 541512 on GWAC vehicles like CIO-SP4, Alliant, and OASIS.
Which federal agencies buy under NAICS 541511?: For FY2024 reporting, the leading federal customers under NAICS 541511 were Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Health and Human Services, Treasury. Live obligation data is available on USAspending.gov.
What FAR or DFARS clauses commonly apply to NAICS 541511 contracts?: Frequent clause flowdowns include DFARS 252.204-7012 (Safeguarding Covered Defense Information); FAR 52.227-14 (Rights in Data — General); FAR 52.227-19 (Commercial Computer Software License); FAR 52.219-14 (Limitations on Subcontracting). Each contract instrument will incorporate clauses by reference under FAR 52.252-2; this list reflects the high-frequency set for this NAICS, not an exhaustive flowdown.
What indirect-rate structure works for a federal contractor in NAICS 541511?: Software firms running cost-reimbursable contracts must allocate developer time accurately to direct vs. indirect activities. R&D unallowable per FAR 31.205-48 unless explicitly funded. IR&D is allowable indirect under FAR 31.205-18. The distinction matters. Bid & Proposal labor is indirect (FAR 31.205-27).
How does FieldLedger help small federal contractors in NAICS 541511?: Signed timekeeping with daily entry (the DCAA expectation), Indirect Rate Engine, project P&L for fixed-price-incentive and CPFF tasks. Equipment costing rarely material in this NAICS, so the overhead pool is simpler than 236xxx construction NAICS.

Sources

U.S. Census NAICS manual — census.gov/naics
SBA size-standards table — 13 C.F.R. § 121.201 (eCFR)
Federal obligations + prime awardees — USAspending.gov NAICS 541511
FAR / DFARS clause text — acquisition.gov

Snapshot date: 2026-05-08 (FY2024 reporting period). Federal-obligation bands and prime-contractor lists reflect the data as of the snapshot — refresh against USAspending.gov for current figures.