What is the SBA size standard for NAICS 541690?

The SBA size standard for NAICS 541690 (Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services) is $19 million in average annual receipts, per 13 C.F.R. § 121.201.

Which federal agencies buy under NAICS 541690?

For FY2024 reporting, the leading federal customers under NAICS 541690 were Department of Defense, Department of Energy, Department of Homeland Security, Department of Agriculture, Department of the Interior. Live obligation data is available on USAspending.gov.

What FAR or DFARS clauses commonly apply to NAICS 541690 contracts?

Frequent clause flowdowns include FAR 52.219-14 (Limitations on Subcontracting); FAR 52.227-14 (Rights in Data — General); FAR 31.205-33 (Professional and Consultant Service Costs); FAR 52.222-50 (Combating Trafficking in Persons). 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 541690 — Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services

Specialized scientific and technical advisory not covered by environmental, engineering, or management consulting NAICS. Federal use includes safety consulting, agricultural consulting, energy consulting, and security consulting.

Quick facts

SBA size standard: $19 million; Average annual receipts · 13 C.F.R. § 121.201
FY2024 federal obligations: $500M–$1B; See live USAspending.gov data →

Top federal customers

Federal agencies that obligate the most spending under NAICS 541690 (FY2024 reporting period). Order tracks federal-obligation volume on USAspending.gov.

1.Department of Defense
2.Department of Energy
3.Department of Homeland Security
4.Department of Agriculture
5.Department of the Interior

Set-aside fit

Whether NAICS 541690 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)

Active set-aside surface for niche technical practices. Watch NAICS protests when CO uses 541690 instead of a tighter consulting code.

Frequent prime contractors

Companies that most frequently appear as prime awardees under NAICS 541690 for FY2024. Drawn from USAspending.gov public award records — verify currency at the live link below.

Booz Allen Hamilton
LMI
ICF International
Tetra Tech
Guidehouse
AECOM
CACI International
Leidos
Calibre Systems
Battelle Memorial Institute

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.

FAR 52.219-14Limitations on Subcontracting
Services-based limitation on set-aside awards.
FAR 52.227-14Rights in Data — General
Default for technical reports.
FAR 31.205-33Professional and Consultant Service Costs
Documentation requirements when subcontracting to other consultants.
FAR 52.222-50Combating Trafficking in Persons
Standard services flowdown.

Indirect rate considerations

Pure-services three-pool structure. Subject-matter-expert subcontract labor is common, requiring careful FAR 31.205-33 documentation. Travel under FAR 31.205-46.

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 541690

Signed timekeeping for SME hours. Indirect Rate Engine for provisional billing rate maintenance. Project P&L for engagement-level margin.

DCAA compliance →Indirect Rate Engine →DCAA readiness check →

Frequently asked

What is the SBA size standard for NAICS 541690?: The SBA size standard for NAICS 541690 (Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services) is $19 million in average annual receipts, per 13 C.F.R. § 121.201.
Is NAICS 541690 eligible for SDVOSB, 8(a), HUBZone, or WOSB set-asides?: Set-aside programs that commonly apply: SDVOSB, 8(a), HUBZone, WOSB, VOSB. Active set-aside surface for niche technical practices. Watch NAICS protests when CO uses 541690 instead of a tighter consulting code.
Which federal agencies buy under NAICS 541690?: For FY2024 reporting, the leading federal customers under NAICS 541690 were Department of Defense, Department of Energy, Department of Homeland Security, Department of Agriculture, Department of the Interior. Live obligation data is available on USAspending.gov.
What FAR or DFARS clauses commonly apply to NAICS 541690 contracts?: Frequent clause flowdowns include FAR 52.219-14 (Limitations on Subcontracting); FAR 52.227-14 (Rights in Data — General); FAR 31.205-33 (Professional and Consultant Service Costs); FAR 52.222-50 (Combating Trafficking in Persons). 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 541690?: Pure-services three-pool structure. Subject-matter-expert subcontract labor is common, requiring careful FAR 31.205-33 documentation. Travel under FAR 31.205-46.
How does FieldLedger help small federal contractors in NAICS 541690?: Signed timekeeping for SME hours. Indirect Rate Engine for provisional billing rate maintenance. Project P&L for engagement-level margin.

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 541690
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.