332312: Fabricated Structural Metal Manufacturing

What this code covers

Census assigns 332312 to plants that fabricate structural metal products from purchased shapes, plate, and bar. The examples in the definition are bar joists and assemblies of reinforcing bar, but the code reaches any structural work: building frames, bridge and tower sections, platforms, stairs, and prefabricated metal sections for ships, barges, and buildings.

For defense and NASA work that means launch and test stands, equipment platforms, blast walls, pier and hangar structures, mezzanines, and gantries. Plate weldments have their own code, 332313, and lighter gauge work belongs in 332322.

What federal buyers typically ask for

Notices under this code come from the Army Corps of Engineers, Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command, Air Force civil engineering squadrons, NASA centers, and shipyards. Many are construction or repair projects where the fabricated steel is one line among several, so you will see this NAICS on both supply and construction notices. Test ranges and launch facilities post structural work for stands and umbilical towers.

Quality terms follow the structural codes rather than aerospace ones. Expect welder and procedure qualification to a structural welding code, inspection reports for critical welds, mill certs for every heat, and coating callouts such as hot dip galvanizing or a paint system. Steel is a DFARS specialty metal when it goes into a weapon system deliverable, so check the clause list. Submittals, shop drawings, and stamped engineering are common on construction-type buys.

Total small business set-asides are frequent. Construction-type buys often add HUBZone, service-disabled veteran, or 8(a) set-asides.