1. Product Service Code Selection Tool User Training
Department of Procurement and Acquisition Policy

2. Intro Questions What is a Product Service Code (PSC)?
Who manages PSCs?
Why use PSCs?
Where can PSCs be found?

3. What is a Product Service Code (PSC)?
A 4-position data element that identifies a good or service
Two types of codes: product codes and service codes [research and development (R&D) codes are under service codes]
Product codes have a digit in the first position
Service and R&D codes have a character in the first position
Used to record products and services being purchased by the Federal Government
Entered in the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) in data element 8A “Product or Service Code” to report what the government is buying
Selection based on the predominant product or service that is being purchased

4. Who manages PSCs?
General Services Administration (GSA) manages the authoritative list of PSCs.
GSA also manages the creation/updating of service codes and the R&D codes.
Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Logistics Information Service manages the creation/updating of product codes, based on the Federal Supply Class (FSC) list (a subset of PSCs).
Defense Procurement and Acquisition Policy (DPAP) has established the PSC Selection Tool to aid in PSC identification.

5. Why use PSCs?
Secretary of Defense priority on traceability of expenditures and meeting financial audit requirements.
PSCs are used to gather data that forms the basis of legally-mandated reports.
Policy and acquisition decisions made by Government and private sector executives may be informed by the data captured in and reported from FPDS.

6. Where are PSCs found? Product and Service Code Manual
GSA’s official list of PSCs
Available at
PSC Selection Tool
Available at
Released into production in February 2015
Managed by DPAP
Draws directly from data shared between GSA and DPAP
PSC Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) are available for integration with Contract Writing Systems (CWS) at

7. Navigating the PSC Selection Tool
Two main resources are available for detailed breakdown on using the PSC Selection Tool
PSC Tool Navigation Quick Start Guide
PSC Tool Technical Guide (if necessary)
Information Available on the PSC Tool
Product Service Code (PSC)
Object Class Code (OCC)
North American Industry Classification System (NAICS)

8. What are Object Class Codes (OCC)?
Three-digit financial management data element, based on object classes. (eg XX.X)
Object classes are categories in a classification system that presents obligations by the items or services purchased by the Federal Government. These are the major object class groups:
10 - Personnel compensation and benefits.
20 - Contractual services and supplies.
30 - Acquisition of assets.
40 - Grants and fixed charges.
90 - Other
Sample OCC from PSC Selection Tool:
From OMB Circular A-11

9. What is the North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS)?
Sample NAICS from PSC Selection Tool:
A numerical (2-6 digits), hierarchical classification system that groups all business establishments into industries based on production process.
The foundation on which economic census data is collected, tabulated, analyzed, and disseminated.
A common language used among all U.S. federal statistical agencies.

10. PSC Tool Homepage: https//psctool.us

11. PSC Tool Homepage Key Features

12. Searching for PSCs Four main searches
By Product Portfolio search group
By Service Portfolio search group
Can filter by Object Class Code (if known)
By General Search Field

13. PSC Search by Product Portfolio
Products: Products are physical goods and PSC Searches for physical goods should begin in the Product Portfolio search group.
Icon Selection: The user should hover over the Product Portfolio Group Icons for a brief description, then select the most appropriate icon.

14. PSC Search by Product Portfolio
After selecting the desired Product Portfolio Group Icon, a brief description of the selected icon, as well as list the PSC portfolios within that group will appear.
The user should hover over the portfolios for a brief description, then select the one that best describes what they are buying.
Note: If this is not the correct group, the user should click the incorrect group selection link or start over icon to restart search.

15. PSC Search by Product Portfolio
Once the Portfolio has been selected, the PSCs and PSC Names listed under that Portfolio will appear.
Note: If this is not the correct group, the user should click the incorrect group selection link or start over icon to restart search.

16. PSC Search by Product Portfolio
The user may click “details” below the PSC Name for more detailed information on the PSC, including the Object Class Code (OCC) and suggested North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code if available.
To copy the PSC to the clipboard, the user should click the “Copy” icon. The user can now paste the PSC into their procurement document.
Note: If this is not the correct group, the user should click the incorrect group selection link or start over icon to restart search.

17. PSC Search by Service Portfolio
Services: Services occur when paying for someone to do something for you. PSC Searches for services should begin in the Services Portfolio search group. The user should hover over the Services Portfolio Group Icons for a brief description, then select the most appropriate icon.

18. PSC Search by Service Portfolio
After selecting the desired Service Portfolio Group Icon, a brief description of the selected icon, as well as list the PSC portfolios within that group will appear.
The user should hover over the portfolios for a brief description, then select the one that best describes what they are buying.
Note: If this is not the correct group, the user should click the incorrect group selection link or start over icon to restart search.

19. PSC Search by Service Portfolio
Once the Portfolio has been selected, the PSCs and PSC Names listed under that Portfolio will appear.
Note: If this is not the correct group, the user should click the incorrect group selection link or start over icon to restart search.

20. PSC Search by Service Portfolio
The user may click “details” below the PSC Name for more detailed information on the PSC, including the Object Class Code (OCC and suggested North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code if available.
To copy the PSC to the clipboard, the user should click the “Copy” icon. The user can now paste the PSC into their procurement document.
Note: If this is not the correct group, the user should click the incorrect group selection link or start over icon to restart search.

21. PSC Search by General Search Field
General Search Field: The user can enter a query of keyword(s) or term(s) into the General Search Field to be submitted and compared against all sections of product service codes, object class codes, NAICS, et al.
Note: Common words (a, and, the, etc.) are removed from the search terms.

22. PSC Search by General Search Field
Once the query has been executed, the number of matching PSCs will appear, grouped in sets of 5 PSCs and in alpha-numeric order. The highlighted group of 5 PSCs will appear individually in full detail below the search results, with relevant portfolio icon, OCC, and NAICS info.

23. PSC Search by General Search Field
Below the fifth (or final) fully detailed individual PSC in the group, the user will find another group of the matching PSCs in groups of 5 in alpha-numeric order.

24. Appendix: References Dropdown
Clicking here will create the dropdown menu of References below
Active link to DPAP site with published objectives on improving transparency on procurement spend
Active link to PSC Manual (as of )
Active link to NAICS Code List (as of 2017)