What are PSC Codes? Essential for Government Contracting & SAM Registration
What are PSC Codes?
PSC Codes (Product and Service Codes) are four-digit numeric or alphanumeric values used by the federal government to describe specific products, services, and research and development (R&D) it purchases. These codes are crucial for businesses during their SAM registration, as they help the government identify precisely what a contractor wants to sell. Unlike NAICS Codes which describe how products or services are produced, PSC Codes offer a more granular description of "WHAT" was bought for each contract action reported in systems like the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS).
Welcome to our podcast FedBiz 5, where you get informed, get connected and get results. In our last episode we discussed, “What are NAICS Codes?” – the North American Industry Classification Codes. In this episode we will learn more about PSC (Product and Service) Codes and their importance in your SAM registration.
PSC Codes are four-digit numeric or alphanumeric values and are used to describe products, services and research and development (R&D) purchased by the federal government. You can find a full listing and description of the PSC Codes in the PSC Manual online.
PSC Codes are considered a more granular industry-related description than NAICS Codes. For example, NAICS Code 238160 – ‘Roofing Contractors’ compared to PSC Code 5650 – ‘Roofing and Siding Materials’.
PSC Codes differ from NAICS Codes in that PSC Codes describe more specifically “WHAT” was bought for each contract action reported in the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) and the SAM.gov Data Bank, whereas NAICS Codesdescribe in general “HOW” purchased products and/or services are produced or used.
An important part of the SAM registration process is ensuring a business has properly categorized its industry codes in their SAM registration. In SAM, PSC Codes should be focused on core business and compliment the NAICS Codes. The attention should be on what you want to sell to the government, and you can find a useful PSC Selection Tool online.
FedBiz Access’ fulfillment team takes the time to understand their client’s business and asks questions to pull information from the client to ensure their registration is complete, optimized and verified.
This podcast is sponsored by FedBiz Access – https://fedbizaccess.com. For government contracting made simple, call (888) 299-4498.
Frequently Asked Questions
- 1 What are PSC Codes and why are they important for government contracting?
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PSC Codes are four-digit numeric or alphanumeric values used to describe specific products, services, and research and development (R&D) purchased by the federal government. They are crucial for properly categorizing your business in your SAM registration, helping the government identify what you want to sell.
- 2 How do PSC Codes differ from NAICS Codes?
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PSC Codes are more granular, describing "WHAT" was bought for each contract action, such as "Roofing and Siding Materials." In contrast, NAICS Codes describe in general "HOW" purchased products and/or services are produced or used, like "Roofing Contractors."
- 3 How should I select PSC Codes for my SAM registration?
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When selecting PSC Codes for your SAM registration, you should focus on your core business and what you specifically want to sell to the government. These codes should complement your NAICS Codes, and you can find a full listing and a useful PSC Selection Tool online.
- 4 Can FedBiz Access help ensure my PSC Codes are correctly optimized in my SAM registration?
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Yes, FedBiz Access' fulfillment team works to understand your business and pull information to ensure your SAM registration is complete, optimized, and verified. This includes properly categorizing your industry codes, such as PSC Codes, to align with what you want to sell to the government.
