NAICS 541511: Custom Computer Programming Services
Covers writing, modifying, testing, and supporting custom software to meet a specific customer's needs — custom application development, systems integration coding, and web application development for government agencies.
What work falls under NAICS 541511
- Custom application and web development
- Legacy system modernization and migration coding
- API development and systems integration programming
- Agile development teams delivering custom software
How to win contracts under this code
- Register in SAM.gov with 541511 as a primary or secondary NAICS code, and confirm you're under the size standard for set-aside eligibility.
- Set a SAM.gov saved search for NAICS 541511 filtered to your set-aside types and places of performance.
- Build a capability statement that leads with this code and your most relevant past performance.
- For each solicitation, build a compliance matrix before writing — most losses under this code are compliance losses.
Bidding on a NAICS 541511 solicitation?
Generate your capability statement and compliance matrix free — no account required.
Frequently asked questions
541511 vs 541512 — which should I use?
Use 541511 when the work is primarily writing custom code; 541512 when it's designing/integrating systems (which may include some development). Many IT firms register both — your SAM profile can list multiple NAICS, and the solicitation's chosen code controls the size standard.
What is the small business size standard for 541511?
$34M in average annual receipts (5-year average). The vast majority of development shops qualify as small, which keeps set-aside competition meaningful.
Full industry guide: Software Development Government Contracts — including state-by-state pages for Texas, California, Florida, and more.