NAICS 54 - Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

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Key Terms

professional services scientific research technical consulting legal services accounting services architectural services engineering services IT consulting cybersecurity environmental consulting contract management government procurement RFP IDIQ small business set-aside

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Related NAICS Codes for NAICS 54

Click on any NAICS code to explore that specific industry within NAICS 54

NAICS Code Industry Title
541110 Offices of Lawyers
541120 Offices of Notaries
541191 Title Abstract and Settlement Offices
541199 All Other Legal Services
541211 Offices of Certified Public Accountants
541213 Tax Preparation Services
541214 Payroll Services
541219 Other Accounting Services
541310 Architectural Services
541320 Landscape Architectural Services
541330 Engineering Services
541340 Drafting Services
541350 Building Inspection Services
541360 Geophysical Surveying and Mapping Services
541370 Surveying and Mapping (except Geophysical) Services
541380 Testing Laboratories and Services
541410 Interior Design Services
541420 Industrial Design Services
541430 Graphic Design Services
541490 Other Specialized Design Services
541511 Custom Computer Programming Services
541512 Computer Systems Design Services
541513 Computer Facilities Management Services
541519 Other Computer Related Services
541611 Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services
541612 Human Resources Consulting Services
541613 Marketing Consulting Services
541614 Process, Physical Distribution, and Logistics Consulting Services
541618 Other Management Consulting Services
541620 Environmental Consulting Services
541690 Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services
541713 Research and Development in Nanotechnology
541714 Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology)
541715 Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
541720 Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities
541810 Advertising Agencies
541820 Public Relations Agencies
541830 Media Buying Agencies
541840 Media Representatives
541850 Indoor and Outdoor Display Advertising
541860 Direct Mail Advertising
541870 Advertising Material Distribution Services
541890 Other Services Related to Advertising
541910 Marketing Research and Public Opinion Polling
541921 Photography Studios, Portrait
541922 Commercial Photography
541930 Translation and Interpretation Services
541940 Veterinary Services
541990 All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

What is NAICS 54

NAICS code 54 covers the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services sector, which includes establishments that provide specialized expertise and knowledge-based services to clients across diverse industries. These services require advanced education, training, and skill sets, ranging from legal and accounting services to scientific research and technical consulting. Businesses in this sector deliver critical support functions that enable organizations to solve complex problems, innovate, and comply with regulatory requirements. Government agencies frequently contract these services to leverage external expertise, improve operational efficiency, and access specialized capabilities that are not available internally. The sector supports both public and private sector clients with solutions that are often mission-critical and time-sensitive.

Industry Classification for NAICS 54

The Sector as a Whole

The Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services sector comprises establishments that specialize in performing professional, scientific, and technical activities for others. These activities require a high degree of expertise and training. The establishments in this sector specialize according to expertise and provide these services to clients in a variety of industries and, in some cases, to households. Activities performed include: legal advice and representation; accounting, bookkeeping, and payroll services; architectural, engineering, and specialized design services; computer services; consulting services; research services; advertising services; photographic services; translation and interpretation services; veterinary services; and other professional, scientific, and technical services.

This sector excludes establishments primarily engaged in providing a range of day-to-day office administrative services, such as financial planning, billing and recordkeeping, personnel supply, and physical distribution and logistics. These establishments are classified in Sector 56, Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services.

Breakdown for NAICS 54

  • Encompasses establishments providing expert, knowledge-based services requiring specialized training.
  • Includes firms offering legal, accounting, engineering, scientific, and consulting services.
  • Excludes establishments focused on general administrative support, which are classified under a different sector.
  • Typical projects involve technical analysis, professional advisory, and specialized research.
  • Size standards vary, but many firms qualify as small businesses under SBA guidelines.
  • Services are delivered to a broad range of industries and government agencies.

Included Activities for NAICS 54

  • Providing legal advice and representation to government entities.
  • Performing accounting, bookkeeping, and payroll management services.
  • Delivering architectural, engineering, and specialized design solutions.
  • Conducting scientific research and technical consulting.
  • Offering information technology and cybersecurity services.
  • Providing advertising, marketing, and public relations services.
  • Performing translation and interpretation services.
  • Conducting veterinary and environmental consulting services.

Business Types for NAICS 54

  • Law firms specializing in government contracts.
  • Accounting and auditing firms.
  • Architectural and engineering consultancies.
  • Scientific research organizations.
  • IT and cybersecurity service providers.
  • Management and technical consulting firms.

Government Buyers for NAICS 54

Federal, state, and local government agencies are primary buyers of services under NAICS 54, including departments such as the Department of Defense, Health and Human Services, Environmental Protection Agency, and General Services Administration. These agencies require professional, scientific, and technical services to support program management, regulatory compliance, forensic analysis, legal counsel, IT modernization, and scientific research. Contracting these services allows government entities to augment their workforce with expert consultants and specialists, ensuring project success and adherence to evolving policies and standards. Additionally, these services facilitate innovation and provide critical support in areas such as cybersecurity, environmental assessment, and healthcare administration.

Contract Types & Procurement for NAICS 54

Common contract types within NAICS 54 include firm-fixed-price, cost-reimbursement, time-and-materials, and indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contracts. Procurement methods often involve competitive bidding, requests for proposals (RFPs), and sole-source awards for highly specialized expertise. Contract values can range widely depending on the scope, from small task orders under $100,000 to multi-million-dollar programs supporting large-scale government initiatives. Blanket purchase agreements (BPAs) and multiple-award contracts (MACs) are frequently utilized to streamline acquisition and provide government agencies with flexible access to professional services. Performance-based contracting is also common to ensure measurable outcomes and accountability.

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