Simple Breakdown of What NSNs and CAGE Codes Actually Mean

Most people hear “NSN” or “CAGE Code” and immediately think it’s just government jargon, but understanding these two terms is one of the biggest shortcuts to decoding how the DLA actually buys.

Here’s the simple version:

NSN (National Stock Number) → Think of this as the government’s internal “barcode.” Every part, bolt, bearing, or screw the military buys is tracked by an NSN.

FSC/FSG Codes → The first few digits of an NSN tell you what category that item falls under (for example, bearings, fans, electrical parts, etc.).

CAGE Code → This identifies the manufacturer or vendor that’s approved to supply that item. When you see a CAGE Code tied to an NSN, that means the government already has verified sources for that part.

Why this matters:

If you know how to read NSNs, you can reverse-engineer entire DLA contracts, see what’s selling, who’s supplying it, and position yourself to compete in those exact categories.

Stop chasing random NAICS codes, they don’t drive DLA buys. NSNs do.

🎥 Watch the full breakdown here: https://youtu.be/qtWo-bPzxXs?si=bpmsJGPbhCCCjWDe

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