What is an NSN? National Stock Numbers, explained

A National Stock Number (NSN) is the 13-digit ID the U.S. government and NATO use for a supply item: a specific bolt, gasket, filter or cable assembly. When DLA posts a request for quotation, the item is identified by its NSN, so learning to read one is the first step to bidding on parts.

Reading the 13 digits

An NSN like 5331-01-470-6850 has three parts:

• 5331: the Federal Supply Class (FSC), the kind of item. The first two digits are the broader group: 53 is hardware and abrasives, and 5331 is O-rings.
• 01: the country that catalogued the item. 00 and 01 mean the United States; other NATO countries have their own codes.
• 470-6850: the item's own number. Together with the country code, these nine digits are the National Item Identification Number (NIIN).

NSNs, part numbers and CAGE codes

An NSN is the government's name for an item. The same item also has one or more manufacturer part numbers, each tied to a CAGE code that identifies the company that makes it. When an item is source-controlled, the RFQ lists exactly which CAGE and part number combinations are acceptable, and your quote must offer one of them.

Why the NSN matters when you bid

• Price history: DLA keeps a record of past awards for each NSN, with dates, quantities and unit prices. The most recent winning price is the best guide to the next one.
• Finding a supplier: searching the NSN or its part numbers turns up the manufacturer and the distributors who stock it.
• Spotting repeat buys: the same NSN is often bought again and again, so learning one part can pay off many times.

Sources

• DLA Internet Bid Board System (DIBBS)
• Defense Logistics Agency

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