Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)

R&D in physical sciences, engineering, and life sciences — common for SBIR/STTR contracts.

SBA Small-Business Cap

1,000 employees

If your company is at or below this cap, you qualify as a small business under NAICS 541715 and can pursue set-aside contracts.

Example businesses

Physical sciences R&D firms
Engineering R&D
Life sciences research

Are you a small business under NAICS 541715?

SBA cap for this code: 1,000 employees.

Exceptions: SBA footnote 11 applies. Exceptions: Aircraft, Aircraft Engine and Engine Parts11 (1,500 employees; see SBA footnote 11); Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment11 (1,250 employees; see SBA footnote 11); Guided Missiles and Space Vehicles, Their Propulsion Units and Propulsion Parts11 (1,300 employees; see SBA footnote 11).

Enter your employee headcount above to see if you qualify.

You qualify under NAICS 541715 — here’s the path to your first contract

1
Register on SAM.gov
Get your UEI and complete entity registration so you’re eligible to receive federal contracts.
Read the SAM.gov registration guide →
2
Pursue set-aside certifications
Apply for 8(a), HUBZone, WOSB, or SDVOSB certifications you may qualify for — these unlock preferential set-aside contracts.
Compare small-business certifications →
3
Find and bid on opportunities
Search SAM.gov for solicitations under NAICS 541715, and consider an end-to-end partner like SLED.AI to handle opportunity matching, proposal writing, and submission.
Talk to SLED.AI →

Related NAICS codes in Professional, Scientific and Technical Services

For an authoritative check before submitting a bid, verify against the current SBA Table of Size Standards.

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