Glossary / Classification, Products
National Stock NumberNSN
The National Stock Number (NSN) is a 13-digit identifier assigned to standardized items of supply stocked by the U.S. federal government and NATO partners. The first four digits are the Federal Supply Class (FSC); the remaining nine are the unique item identifier. NSNs are assigned through the Federal Cataloging Program, managed by DLA. Manufacturers' part numbers are cross-referenced to NSNs, allowing consistent ordering across services and allied forces.
Why it matters to your pipeline
For OEMs selling products to DoW, having your part number cataloged under an NSN is typically a prerequisite for supply-system orders. An NSN is assigned when a government user, usually a military service, asks DLA to catalog the item; a manufacturer generally cannot request one on its own. Once in place, NSNs flow through DLA's e-procurement systems and can generate substantial recurring demand without active selling.
When this term shows up in an opening GovSmith finds for you, your vCM explains what it means for that pursuit and does whatever it calls for. You decide; we do the work.
Example
A manufacturer produces a specialized electronic filter. A Navy program office sponsors the item for cataloging, and DLA assigns NSN 5915-01-123-4567. Over the next 5 years, NAVSUP and Army AMCOM buy $2.3M of the filter by ordering against the NSN.
Find out what applies to you
Some terms will matter to your business right away and some won’t for years. A vCM can tell you which are which.