NAICS 491110 - Postal Service

This page includes content generated by AI. It is intended for general guidance only and should be verified for your specific situation.

Key Terms

NAICS 49111 NAICS 4911 NAICS 491 postal services mail delivery universal service obligation parcel delivery mail processing routing sorting express delivery government contracts fixed-price contracts IDIQ contracts mail logistics

Find Opportunities

Login to search for contracts and opportunities in this industry.

Login Sign Up

What is NAICS 491110

NAICS code 491110 covers establishments primarily engaged in providing postal services under a universal service obligation. These services include the carriage, acceptance, collection, processing, and delivery of letters, printed matter, and mailable packages. Organizations operating under this classification often maintain extensive infrastructure to ensure nationwide mail delivery, including parcel and express delivery in addition to basic mail services. Businesses in this sector range from national postal authorities to regional mail processing centers that support the universal mail delivery network. Government agencies contract these services to ensure secure, timely, and reliable communication and package delivery both domestically and internationally, supporting essential public functions and maintaining communication infrastructure.

Industry Classification for NAICS 491110

This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in providing mail services under a universal service obligation. Mail services include the carriage of letters, printed matter, or mailable packages, including acceptance, collection, processing, and delivery. Due to the infrastructure requirements of providing mail service under a universal service obligation, postal service establishments often provide parcel and express delivery services in addition to the mail service. Establishments primarily engaged in performing one or more parts of the basic mail service, such as sorting, routing and/or delivery (except bulk transportation of mail) are included in this industry.

Breakdown for NAICS 491110

  • Includes establishments providing universal postal services including mail and parcel delivery.
  • Covers acceptance, collection, processing, and delivery of letters and packages.
  • Encompasses parcel and express delivery services alongside traditional mail.
  • Typical operators include national postal authorities and regional mail centers.
  • Subject to infrastructure requirements ensuring nationwide mail service.
  • Excludes bulk transportation of mail by third parties.

Included Activities for NAICS 491110

  • Acceptance and collection of letters and parcels from customers.
  • Sorting and routing of mail for efficient delivery.
  • Processing mail items including scanning and tracking.
  • Delivery of letters, printed matter, and packages to recipients.
  • Providing parcel and express delivery services.
  • Handling secure and regulated mail items.
  • Supporting bulk mail processing operations.
  • Coordinating last-mile delivery logistics.

Business Types for NAICS 491110

  • National postal service providers
  • Regional mail processing centers
  • Express and parcel delivery companies
  • Government-operated postal agencies
  • Logistics and mail distribution contractors
  • Mail sorting and routing service providers

Subcategories for NAICS 491110

  • Postal delivery services, local, operated by U.S. Postal Service
  • Postal delivery services, local, operated on a contract basis
  • Postal services operated by U.S. Postal Service
  • Postal stations operated by U.S. Postal Service
  • Postal stations operated on a contract basis

Government Buyers for NAICS 491110

Federal, state, and local government agencies are the primary purchasers of postal services under this NAICS code. Agencies such as the U.S. Postal Service itself, the Department of Defense, the General Services Administration, and various federal regulatory bodies rely on these services for official mail distribution, secure document delivery, and logistics support. These agencies require dependable postal services to maintain communications with citizens, facilitate regulatory compliance, and support operational logistics. Additionally, government contracts may be awarded to support specialized mail handling, expedited delivery, and bulk mail processing needs.

Contract Types & Procurement for NAICS 491110

Contracts awarded under NAICS 491110 typically include fixed-price contracts, indefinite delivery indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contracts, and service agreements. Procurement methods often involve competitive bidding, including Requests for Proposals (RFPs) and Invitations for Bids (IFBs), with some contracts awarded via sole source for specialized or urgent services. Contract values can range widely, from smaller regional service contracts valued in the thousands to large-scale national service contracts reaching into the hundreds of millions, reflecting the critical and large-scale nature of postal service infrastructure and operations.

Details for NAICS 491110

Explore the hierarchy and related codes for this industry

Interested in Government Contracting?

Our team can help small businesses work toward certification, qualification, and positioning for federal contract opportunities.

Schedule a Call

Learn more with no obligation

Federal Contracting Intelligence

Find Postal Service Contract Opportunities

Access federal solicitations, track award history, and monitor agency spend in this industry in one place. Designed to support small businesses pursuing federal revenue.

  • Opportunities updated regularly from SAM.gov
  • Filter by set-aside, agency, NAICS, and PSC
  • Get notified when matching opportunities are posted
Start Free Trial View Pricing →

No credit card required to start • Terms may apply

WOSB SDVOSB 8(a) HUBZone
Schedule a Call

30 minutes • Discuss your goals with our team

Guidance

Leverage Your Certifications for a Competitive Edge

Our federal contracting specialists can help businesses build certifications and capability statements to pursue opportunities in industries like Postal Service.

  • WOSB, VOSB & 8(a) certification support
  • Capability statement writing & review
  • SAM.gov registration & compliance guidance
Construction Technology Logistics Healthcare + Many More Industries

Discover Your Next Industry Opportunity

Browse thousands of NAICS codes across every federal procurement sector. Find industries aligned with your capabilities and uncover where government spending is concentrated.

Search the NAICS Directory 1,000+ industry codes • Free to browse