Federal glossary · Process
Size Standards are SBA-defined thresholds (revenue or employees) determining if a business is "small" for a given NAICS code. Each NAICS code has its own standard — for example, NAICS 541512 (Computer Systems Design) is $34M in average annual receipts, while NAICS 236220 (Commercial Building Construction) is $45M. Standards are set by SBA and updated every 5 years. Check your specific standard at sba.gov/size-standards.
Reference record · Sources: U.S. Small Business Administration · Verified Jul 2, 2026 · Covers definition, governing source
Also known as
Size Standards are SBA-defined thresholds (revenue or employees) determining if a business is "small" for a given NAICS code. Each NAICS code has its own standard — for example, NAICS 541512 (Computer Systems Design) is $34M in average annual receipts, while NAICS 236220 (Commercial Building Construction) is $45M. Standards are set by SBA and updated every 5 years. Check your specific standard at sba.gov/size-standards.
is a process concept federal contractors and grant writers run into across solicitations, regulations, and award filings
Size Standard is a step or workflow in the federal-procurement lifecycle. Knowing where Size Standard fits in the larger acquisition arc — from market research through award through performance — helps contractors time their engagement, identify the right contracting officials, and avoid showing up too late to influence the requirement. Many proposal failures trace back to misunderstanding when Size Standard occurs, who owns it, and what artifacts it produces. The related terms above name the adjacent process steps that most commonly precede or follow Size Standard, and tracking those transitions over time is one of the more reliable ways to build pipeline visibility ahead of formal solicitations.
Meaning in practice
Size Standard is a step in a government workflow or procurement lifecycle.
Where you’ll see it
You will see it in NOFOs, solicitations, evaluation sections, award letters, and procedural instructions.
Common confusion
People often confuse the document that describes the process with the process itself.
What to do next
Identify the deadline, owner, and artifacts the process produces before you move forward.
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