Since the federal government is so vast and is comprised of hundreds of agencies, departments, and units--organization is key. This is especially true when it comes to government contracting. One of the ways the government streamlines and standardizes the procurement process is with National Stock Numbers (NSNs).
NSNs are a crucial component of federal procurement because they were created to reduce duplicate items in the federal inventory and standardize military requirements for testing. Although you may have heard of NSNs before, you might have questions such as: how do I read the NSN format, how is an NSN assigned, or how can I find NSN data? Let’s go over everything you need to know about NSNs.
A National Stock Number (NSN), also referred to as a NATO Stock Number, is a serial number applied to an item that is repeatedly procured, stocked, stored, and issued throughout the federal supply system.
National Stock Numbers (NSNs) are used to identify and manage every product imaginable, including tires, aircraft parts, hammers, and lightbulbs. Each item is assigned a unique series of numbers giving information about the name, price, physical/performance characteristics, manufacturer, and dimensions.
NSNs are officially recognized by the U.S. government, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), and several other governments internationally, making it a universal catalog system. Each year, the Department of Defense (DoD) and other federal agencies use NSNs to procure billions of products.
Before NSNs existed, different names were often given to the same items, making it difficult for agencies to locate supplies or share items of supply. During times of great need like WWII, a lot of products were depleted while others were in surplus.
NSNs were created to keep everyone on the same page—they form a standardized classification system that eliminates discrepancies. Today, NSNs are used to identify and manage 7 million active products in the Federal Logistics Information System (FLIS).
National Stock Numbers are comprised of a 13-digit code broken down into several sections:
First 4 digits: Represent the federal supply class, and the first 2 digits of the Federal Supply Class are the Federal Supply Group. For example, if the first 4 digits were 1830, the “18” would signify the Federal Supply Group titled Space Vehicles, and “1830” as a whole would signify Space Vehicle Remote Control Systems. If the number were “1820,” then it would be Space Vehicle Components.
Second 2 digits: Represent the NATO Country Classification Code, or the country of origin. For example, the United States would be “00” or “01.”
Last 7 digits: Are unique to each NSN.
This graphic below shows the breakdown of the code:
Whenever military services, certain federal or civil agencies, or international partners request an NSN, the Defense Logistics Agency Logistics Information Services (DLIS) will assign them. The assignment process is called cataloging. During cataloging, each item of supply is named, assigned a Federal Supply Class, and described so all known characteristics and performance data can be notified.
There are 3 reasons an NSN can be assigned:
It’s important to note that manufacturers and resellers (that includes GSA contractors), do not have the authority to request an NSN. Private industries can’t just submit their Commercial ad Government Entity Code (CAGE) Code and part number to the DLA to be added to the NSN or request an NSN. They must be sponsored by one of the authorized submitters listed below:
Over time, your part numbers may need to be adjusted, and your product specifications can change. Manufacturers, vendors, and suppliers can review and update their product information and reference numbers including your CAGE number or part number on Interactive Government & Industry Data Edit & Review (iGIRDER).
Like anything with the government, there are several databases that can help you search and access information about NSNs.
The first one is Public Logistics Data, or PUB LOG. PUB LOG is a public website and does not require a subscription or Common Access Card (CAC) authorizations. On this site, you can search NSN data, FLIS data including NSNs and their associated supply data, characteristics data, and much more. PUB LOG can be downloaded from the Federal Logistics Information Services (FLIS) Data Electronic Reading Room. PUB LOG is updated every 30 days.
The next option is Federal Logistics Data (FED LOG). This site is more restrictive because it’s for the federal view only. Only government employees with a Common Access Card (CAC) can log-on to FED LOG. With FED LOG, you can access FLIS data even when internet connectivity is unavailable. This system provides NSN data, National Stock Number (NSN), the Approved Item Name, Manufacturers and Distributors information (to include Part Numbers), Physical and Performance Characteristics, etc. FED LOG is updated every day.
Authorized users can also access FED LOG from the FedMall site. FedMall provides visibility to customers looking to purchase an item, and it contains all the active Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) managed NSNs.
While the National Stock Number system itself hasn’t changed under the new administration, several policy shifts could influence where and how NSN-coded items are purchased. Executive Order 14240 directs agencies to consolidate the acquisition of common goods and services under GSA, which means more NSN items that qualify as “common goods” may be funneled through GSA Global Supply instead of being sourced directly from the DLA.
In addition, the administration’s emphasis on a “commercial-first” procurement strategy may impact the use of NSNs. If agencies are encouraged to procure Commercial Off-the-Shelf (COTS) products first, some NSN-coded items could see reduced demand, while other commercially aligned NSNs may become more widely used.
Ongoing efforts to streamline the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) may indirectly affect NSN-related buys. By simplifying documentation and reducing prescriptive requirements in certain parts of the FAR, the government could make it easier for agencies to justify purchasing commercial NSN items instead of relying on custom specifications.
NSNs streamline the U.S. and NATO procurement process, making it easier for government agencies to acquire the items they need quickly. Government buyers can also access certain NSNs through GSA’s Global Supply Program under the Multiple Award Schedule (MAS).
At Winvale, we help companies demystify the NSN knowledge gap within the Defense Industrial Base (DIB). Our team of experts provides NSN and part number research directly from the DLA’s catalog of NSNs, so you don’t waste time trying to navigate a system that wasn’t built for outsiders. By bridging the gap between your part numbers and DLA’s logistics language, we make sure your products are visible, cataloged, and ready for procurement. If you have any questions about NSNs, how they relate to your GSA Schedule, or NSN research, reach out to Winvale.