NIGP categories
Search state and local purchasing category records, then open one NIGP category to review hierarchy, related opportunities, contacts, and source-data context.
Click NIGP Categories, or open GovTribe, expand the sidebar if it is collapsed, expand Categories, and click NIGP Categories.
NIGP Categories is available on Launch Plus, Growth Plus, and Scale.
Search NIGP categories
For reusable guidance on quotes, required terms, alternatives, exclusions, grouped terms, and choosing between modes, see Choose a search mode and write queries.
- To find database software categories, search "database software", then review the NIGP Hierarchy on promising results.
- To review business intelligence software categories, search "business intelligence software", then compare the category names and AI summaries.
- To find project management software categories, search "project management", then compare the category names and hierarchy.
- To locate consulting service categories, search "computer software consulting", then open a result to review related state and local opportunities.
- To explore analytics tools, search software for reporting dashboards and data analysis, then compare NIGP category names and summaries.
- To research training platforms, search online learning and course management software for public agencies, then review similar categories.
- To find consulting categories, search technology implementation and software advisory services, then confirm the code and hierarchy.
- To explore printing or form-related categories, search continuous forms and printed business materials, then open the category details for related records.
Filters and macros
| Type | Name | Example question |
|---|---|---|
| Macro | Favorited | Which NIGP categories have I saved as favorites? |
Parent NIGP appears on result cards, but it is not a visible Add Filter option on this search page.
Sort options
When NIGP Categories opens without a search query, filters, or explicit sort, GovTribe may use recent activity and popularity signals to decide which categories appear first. Add search text, filters, or a specific sort when you want the order to match your review task.
| Name | Direction choices | Example question |
|---|---|---|
| Alphabetical | A-Z / Z-A | Which categories should I review by code or name order? |
| Favored | Least First / Most First | Which categories have fewer or more favorite claims? |
Actions
Page actions
- View Favorites filters the page to NIGP categories you have saved as favorites.
- Export Search Results exports the current category result set after you narrow it to the records you want to review outside GovTribe.
- Share Search shares the current NIGP Categories result set with another GovTribe user.
- Similar finds category records that resemble the selected NIGP category. Use it when a category summary or purchasing lane is close to the market you are researching.
- Add Favorite saves the selected category to your favorites and updates the favorite count on the card. When the category is already saved, the same control can remove the favorite.
Result-level actions
- Add Favorite or Remove Favorite marks the open NIGP category for later review.
Review a NIGP category
NIGP category examples
A civil engineering category helps you confirm state and local purchasing context before reviewing related opportunities. See the Civil Engineering example in GovTribe.
Hierarchy and category context
The detail page shows the NIGP code, category name, parent or child status, and hierarchy controls. Use the hierarchy to compare broad purchasing families with narrower commodity or service categories.
State and local source context
NIGP categories connect to state and local procurement records as source-provided or mapped category context. Because source agencies do not all publish category data the same way, confirm the match against the record title, summary, buyer, source text, and related opportunities before treating the category as final.
Related tabs
Contacts
Contacts lists people connected to records associated with the NIGP category.
Contract Opportunities
Contract Opportunities lists state and local contract opportunities associated with the NIGP category.
Common questions
For general fixes for too many results, no results, unrelated results, broad Semantic Search matches, or filters that narrowed the search too much, see Troubleshoot search results.
What does NIGP classify?
NIGP category data type records describe state and local commodity and service categories. Use NIGP when researching how state and local sources classify what is being bought. It is separate from federal NAICS industry coding and federal PSC product or service coding. See Choosing category systems.
How should I use exact NIGP codes?
You can search a known code or category name, but the result card and NIGP Hierarchy dialog are the safer way to confirm parent and child context. The hierarchy dialog opens linked parent and child category codes so you can move between broad purchasing families and narrower categories.
How does NIGP Hierarchy help?
NIGP Hierarchy shows how a state or local purchasing category fits inside broader and narrower commodity or service families. Use it to move from a broad purchasing family to a more specific category, especially when source agencies use category wording differently.
How does NIGP relate to state and local records?
NIGP categories connect to state and local procurement records as commodity or service context. State and local sources do not all provide the same category system, so use the category match with the title, summary, source text, buyer, and related record context before treating it as final. See State and local contract data model.
Related articles
- Choose a search mode and write queries: Choose Keyword Search or Semantic Search and write reusable search queries.
- NIGP category data type: Review the GovTribe data type behind NIGP category records.
- NIGP category attribute: Understand where NIGP category relationships appear across GovTribe records.
- State and local contract data model: Understand opportunities, vehicles, IDVs, awards, line items, categories, and source-data differences.
- Choosing category systems: Choose between NAICS, PSC, NIGP, UNSPSC, and Assistance Listings.
PSC categories
Search federal product and service classification records, then open one PSC category to review hierarchy, spend categories, related federal activity, and buyers.
UNSPSC categories
Search state and local product and service commodity classification records, then open one UNSPSC category to review hierarchy, related opportunities, contacts, and source-data context.