National Stock Number (NSN)

Definition

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

For OEMs selling products to DoW, having your part number cataloged under an NSN is typically a prerequisite for supply-system orders. The process of obtaining an NSN (via submission to DLA's Cage-H form) takes several weeks. Once in place, NSNs flow through DLA's e-procurement systems and can generate substantial recurring demand without active selling.

Example

A manufacturer produces a specialized electronic filter. It submits the item for NSN cataloging; DLA assigns NSN 5915-01-123-4567. Over the next 5 years, NAVSUP and Army AMCOM purchase $2.3M of the filter directly via NSN, with no further competition or solicitation.

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