Standard Industrial Classification(SIC)
A legacy U.S. government system for classifying industries by type of economic activity, largely superseded by NAICS but still used in some contexts.
Overview
The Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) system was the U.S. government's primary means of classifying industries from the 1930s until it was largely replaced by NAICS in 1997. SIC codes are four-digit numeric codes. While NAICS is now the standard for federal procurement, SIC codes still appear in some legacy systems, Dun & Bradstreet profiles, and commercial databases.
Why It Matters in GovCon
NAICS has replaced SIC for federal contracting — solicitations use NAICS, and SAM.gov uses NAICS. However, some market research tools and commercial data sources still use SIC. Understanding the SIC-to-NAICS relationship helps when migrating data or using systems that cross-reference both. SIC may also appear in subcontracting and supplier diversity reporting.
Key Details
- Structure: Four digits; first two indicate major division, additional digits provide detail.
- Supersession: NAICS replaced SIC for federal statistical and procurement purposes.
- Crosswalk: Conversion tables exist between SIC and NAICS.
- Legacy Use: Some FPDS historical data, commercial databases, and state systems may reference SIC.
- D&B: Dun & Bradstreet and similar services may use SIC for business classification.
Related Terms
- NAICS Codes
- Product Service Code (PSC)
- System for Award Management (SAM)
- Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS)
More Classification Terms
The standard numerical system used to classify business establishments by industry type, determining size standards and contract eligibility.
An international body that develops voluntary standards for quality, safety, and processes across industries.
A 13-digit numeric code used by the federal government to identify and catalog supplies and materials in a standardized way.
A four-character alphanumeric code used to classify products and services in federal contracting, enabling reporting and opportunity categorization.
The computer-to-computer exchange of business documents and data in a standardized electronic format between trading partners.
United Nations Standard Products and Services Code, a global classification system used by governments and organizations to categorize products and services.
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