PSC 1398

Overview

The Product Service Code (PSC) system is a governmentwide taxonomy that classifies the goods and services the U.S. government buys so agencies can code awards consistently for reporting, analytics, and transparency across systems such as FPDS and SAM.gov. The PSC Manual on Acquisition.gov provides the authoritative definitions and usage guidance for these codes. ¹

PSC 1398 identifies “Specialized Ammunition Handling and Servicing Equipment.” In the PSC Manual’s products section (Group 13 – Ammunition and Explosives), codes in the 13xx series cover ammunition and related materiel; 1398 specifically captures specialized non-nuclear equipment used to handle and service ammunition and explosives. It is selected in FPDS based on the predominant end item being purchased. ¹

What this PSC covers

• Specialized, non-nuclear equipment designed to handle or service ammunition and explosives. ¹
• Purpose-built rigs, fixtures, lifts, or accessories uniquely intended for ammunition servicing tasks. ¹
• Items selected when the primary deliverable is handling/servicing equipment rather than ammunition itself. ¹
• Products coded under Group 13 where the functional use is ammunition handling/servicing, not manufacturing. ¹
• Equipment distinct from maintenance/checkout test gear (see PSC 4925). ²
• Excludes items specially designed for nuclear ordnance; those are classified under PSC 1190. ²

Related NAICS and PSC codes

Boundaries and common miscodes

PSC 1398 is a product classification for specialized handling/servicing equipment tied to ammunition and explosives. Do not use it for: (a) ammunition maintenance/checkout gear (use PSC 4925), (b) specialized manufacturing machinery (use PSC 3690), or (c) nuclear ordnance handling/test gear (use PSC 1190). ²

Regulatory and safety notes for acquisitions

While PSCs classify “what was bought,” many buys involving ammunition and explosives equipment trigger DoD safety clauses. DFARS 252.223-7002 requires contractors to take specific precautions when handling ammunition and explosives; contracting officers often include it where applicable to the scope and place of performance. ⁴

Frequently asked questions

• What exactly is PSC 1398?

  • PSC 1398 covers “Specialized Ammunition Handling and Servicing Equipment” within Group 13 (Ammunition and Explosives). Use it when the principal deliverable is specialized, non-nuclear equipment used to handle or service ammunition and explosives, rather than ammunition itself. ¹

• How is PSC 1398 different from PSC 4925?

  • PSC 4925 covers ammunition maintenance, repair, and checkout specialized equipment (diagnostic/test/checkout gear). PSC 1398 covers handling and servicing equipment. Choose the code that best matches the item’s primary function. ²

• Does PSC 1398 include nuclear ordnance handling equipment?

  • No. Items specially designed for nuclear ordnance are classified under PSC 1190 and are not included in Group 13 product codes. ²

• Which NAICS codes map to PSC 1398?

  • Not specified by official sources ¹. The PSC Manual defines PSC scope but does not provide an authoritative PSC-to-NAICS crosswalk for 1398. Agencies may use internal mappings, but these are not officially published in the PSC Manual.

• Are any DoD safety clauses commonly associated with buys under PSC 1398?

  • Clauses and policies may apply when work involves ammunition or explosives, including DFARS 252.223-7002 and policy at DFARS 223.370-3. Clause applicability depends on the requirement, place of performance, and whether handling/storage occurs under the contract. ³

Useful resources

• G2X — PSC 1398
• Acquisition.gov — Product and Service Code Manual (current portal and documents). ¹
• Acquisition.gov — PSC Manual April 2024 (PDF with detailed Group 13 context). ²
• DFARS 223.370-3 Policy (Ammunition and Explosives). ³
• DFARS 252.223-7002 Safety Precautions for Ammunition and Explosives. ⁴

References

1. Acquisition.gov. Product and Service Code Manual. https://www.acquisition.gov/psc-manual
2. Acquisition.gov. PSC Manual April 2024 (PDF – Section D: Product Codes, Group 13; PSCs 4925, 3690; Group 81 classes 8140/8145). https://login.acquisition.gov/sites/default/files/manual/PSC%20Manual%20April%202024.pdf
3. Acquisition.gov. DFARS 223.370-3 Policy (Ammunition and Explosives). https://www.acquisition.gov/dfars/223.370-3-policy
4. Acquisition.gov. DFARS 252.223-7002 Safety Precautions for Ammunition and Explosives. https://www.acquisition.gov/dfars/252.223-7002-safety-precautions-ammunition-and-explosives