NAICS 513210 - Software Publishers

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What is NAICS 513210

NAICS code 513210 pertains to establishments primarily engaged in software publishing. This sector includes businesses that design, develop, publish, and distribute computer software products. These companies handle the entire lifecycle from software creation to providing documentation, installation assistance, and ongoing technical support. The software may be distributed through various channels such as physical media, downloads, or subscription-based models. Businesses in this sector are critical enablers of technology solutions across numerous industries, delivering commercial and custom software applications that support operational efficiency, data management, and digital transformation initiatives. Government agencies contract for these services to acquire tailored and scalable software solutions that meet stringent security, compliance, and interoperability requirements essential for public sector operations. Furthermore, software publishers support modernization efforts by providing innovative applications that enhance citizen services, cybersecurity, and administrative processes.

Industry Classification for NAICS 513210

This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in software publishing. Establishments in this industry carry out operations necessary for producing and distributing computer software, such as designing, providing documentation, assisting in installation, and providing support services to software purchasers. These establishments may design, develop, and publish, or publish only. These establishments may publish and distribute software through subscriptions and/or downloads.

Breakdown for NAICS 513210

  • Includes businesses primarily engaged in designing, publishing, and distributing computer software.
  • Encompasses both development and support services such as documentation and installation assistance.
  • Covers distribution through physical media, downloads, and subscription-based models.
  • Typical contract sizes range from small licenses to large enterprise software projects.
  • Supports a wide range of government IT and digital transformation initiatives.
  • Small and large businesses operate within this NAICS code.

Included Activities for NAICS 513210

  • Designing and developing computer software applications.
  • Publishing and distributing software products via downloads or physical media.
  • Providing software documentation and user manuals.
  • Assisting with software installation and deployment.
  • Offering technical support and maintenance services for software purchasers.
  • Managing software subscription services and license renewals.
  • Customizing software to meet specific client requirements.
  • Ensuring compliance with government security and interoperability standards.

Business Types for NAICS 513210

  • Commercial software publishers
  • Custom software development firms
  • Enterprise software providers
  • Software subscription service companies
  • Small and medium-sized software vendors
  • Technology consulting firms specializing in software solutions

Subcategories for NAICS 513210

  • Applications development and publishing, except on a custom basis
  • Applications software, computer, packaged
  • Computer software publishers, packaged
  • Computer software publishing and reproduction
  • Games, computer software, publishing
  • Gaming site publishers
  • Mobile applications development and publishing, except on a custom basis
  • Operating systems software, computer, packaged
  • Packaged computer software publishers
  • Programming language and compiler software publishers, packaged
  • Publishers, packaged computer software
  • Software computer, packaged, publishers
  • Software publishers
  • Software publishers, packaged
  • Utility software, computer, packaged

Government Buyers for NAICS 513210

Government agencies at the federal, state, and local levels commonly procure software publishing services to support mission-critical applications in areas such as defense, healthcare, education, and public administration. Agencies like the Department of Defense, Department of Health and Human Services, and various state IT departments rely on software vendors to deliver custom and off-the-shelf software solutions that improve operational capabilities and data management. These agencies require software publishers to provide not only the software products but also ongoing maintenance, updates, and user support to ensure system reliability and compliance with regulatory standards. By contracting with software publishers, government entities gain access to specialized expertise and innovative technologies that may not be available internally, helping them to keep pace with rapidly evolving digital environments.

Contract Types & Procurement for NAICS 513210

Contracts under NAICS 513210 often include firm-fixed-price, indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (IDIQ), and time-and-materials arrangements. Procurement methods range from competitive sealed bids to negotiated procurements, depending on the complexity and customization level of the software solutions. Task order contracts are common for ongoing support and maintenance services. Contract values vary widely, from small-scale software licenses and support agreements to multi-million-dollar enterprise software development and implementation projects. Government agencies may also utilize subscription-based contract vehicles or Software as a Service (SaaS) agreements to acquire scalable software solutions with regular updates and cloud-based delivery models. These contracts emphasize compliance with government security standards, intellectual property rights, and service-level agreements.

Details for NAICS 513210

Explore the hierarchy and related codes for this industry

NAICS Code Industry Title
512 Motion Picture and Sound Recording Industries
5121 Motion Picture and Video Industries
51211 Motion Picture and Video Production
512110 Motion Picture and Video Production
51212 Motion Picture and Video Distribution
512120 Motion Picture and Video Distribution
51213 Motion Picture and Video Exhibition
512131 Motion Picture Theaters (except Drive-Ins)
512132 Drive-In Motion Picture Theaters
51219 Postproduction Services and Other Motion Picture and Video Industries
512191 Teleproduction and Other Postproduction Services
512199 Other Motion Picture and Video Industries
5122 Sound Recording Industries
51223 Music Publishers
512230 Music Publishers
51224 Sound Recording Studios
512240 Sound Recording Studios
51225 Record Production and Distribution
512250 Record Production and Distribution
51229 Other Sound Recording Industries
512290 Other Sound Recording Industries
513 Publishing Industries
5131 Newspaper, Periodical, Book, and Directory Publishers
51311 Newspaper Publishers
513110 Newspaper Publishers
51312 Periodical Publishers
513120 Periodical Publishers
51313 Book Publishers
513130 Book Publishers
51314 Directory and Mailing List Publishers
513140 Directory and Mailing List Publishers
51319 Other Publishers
513191 Greeting Card Publishers
513199 All Other Publishers
5132 Software Publishers
51321 Software Publishers
513210 Current Software Publishers
516 Broadcasting and Content Providers
5161 Radio and Television Broadcasting Stations
51611 Radio Broadcasting Stations
516110 Radio Broadcasting Stations
51612 Television Broadcasting Stations
516120 Television Broadcasting Stations
5162 Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers
51621 Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers
516210 Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers
517 Telecommunications
5171 Wired and Wireless Telecommunications (except Satellite)
51711 Wired and Wireless Telecommunications Carriers (except Satellite)
517111 Wired Telecommunications Carriers
517112 Wireless Telecommunications Carriers (except Satellite)
51712 Telecommunications Resellers and Agents for Wireless Telecommunication Services
517121 Telecommunications Resellers
517122 Agents for Wireless Telecommunications Services
5174 Satellite Telecommunications
51741 Satellite Telecommunications
517410 Satellite Telecommunications
5178 All Other Telecommunications
51781 All Other Telecommunications
517810 All Other Telecommunications
518 Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services
5182 Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services
51821 Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services
518210 Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services
519 Web Search Portals, Libraries, Archives, and Other Information Services
5192 Web Search Portals, Libraries, Archives, and Other Information Services
51921 Libraries and Archives
519210 Libraries and Archives
51929 Web Search Portals and All Other Information Services
519290 Web Search Portals and All Other Information Services

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