This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in record production and/or releasing, promoting, and distributing sound recordings to wholesalers, retailers, or directly to the public. These establishments contract with artists, arrange and finance the production of original master recordings, and/or produce master recordings themselves, such as digital music and compact discs. Establishments in this industry hold the copyright to the master recording, or obtain reproduction and distribution rights to master recordings produced by others, and derive most of their revenues from the sales, leasing, licensing, or distribution of master recordings.
✓ Small Business Eligibility at a Glance
Based on SBA Table of Small Business Size Standards (2024)
Size Standard
900 employees
Measurement Period
Current count
Standard Type
Employee-Based
Applies To
All contracts under NAICS 512250
Set-Aside Programs
8(a), WOSB, HUBZone, SDVOSB
Certification Required
No (self-certify in SAM.gov)
Size standards are set by the SBA and reviewed periodically. Always verify at SBA.gov before bidding.
Cross-References
The following activities are classified elsewhere in the NAICS system:
→Promoting and authorizing the use of musical works in various media--are classified in Industry 512230, Music Publishers;
→Providing facilities and technical expertise for recording musical performances--are classified in Industry 512240, Sound Recording Studios;
→Operating radio broadcasting stations, that may acquire the right to distribute content and subsequently broadcast or distribute that content--are classified in Industry 516110, Radio Broadcasting Stations;
→Operating radio broadcasting networks, including satellite radio networks, that may acquire the right to distribute content and subsequently broadcast or distribute that content--are classified in Industry 516210, Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers;
→Mass duplication of recorded products--are classified in Industry 334610, Manufacturing and Reproducing Magnetic and Optical Media;
→Merchant wholesale distribution of blank audio compact discs--are classified in Industry 423690, Other Electronic Parts and Equipment Merchant Wholesalers;
→Merchant wholesale distribution of prerecorded audio compact discs--are classified in Industry 423990, Other Miscellaneous Durable Goods Merchant Wholesalers;
→Retailing downloadable music files and compact discs without producing recordings--are classified in Sector 44-45, Retail Trade;
→Managing the careers of artists--are classified in Industry 711410, Agents and Managers for Artists, Athletes, Entertainers, and Other Public Figures;
→Producing albums on contract as independent producers--are classified in Industry 711510, Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers; and
→Producing live musical entertainment (except theatrical musical or opera productions) and independent (i.e., freelance) artists primarily engaged in providing live musical entertainment--are classified in Industry 711130, Musical Groups and Artists.
How to Use NAICS 512250 in SAM.gov
NAICS code 512250 — Record Production and Distribution — is used in SAM.gov to identify businesses whose primary activity falls within this classification. When you add this code to your SAM.gov entity registration, contracting officers searching for vendors in the Sound Recording Industries space will be able to find your business.
If this code represents your primary business activity, designate it as your primary NAICS code. Your primary NAICS code determines your size standard for any contract solicited under this code. With a size standard of 900 employees, your business must be at or below this threshold to qualify as a small business for set-aside contracts under NAICS 512250.
NAICS code 512250 is 'Record Production and Distribution', classified under the Information sector (NAICS 51). This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in record production and/or releasing, promoting, and distributing sound recordings to wholesalers, retailers, or directly to the public. Thes
What is the SBA small business size standard for NAICS code 512250?
The SBA defines a small business under NAICS code 512250 (Record Production and Distribution) as one with 900 employees. This size standard determines eligibility for small business set-aside contracts, 8(a), HUBZone, WOSB, and SDVOSB programs in SAM.gov.
How do I register NAICS code 512250 in SAM.gov?
To register NAICS code 512250 in SAM.gov: (1) Log in at sam.gov, (2) Navigate to your Entity Registration, (3) Go to the Assertions section, (4) Add 512250 (Record Production and Distribution) to your NAICS code list. You may designate one code as your Primary NAICS code.