PSC 1915

Overview

The Product Service Code (PSC) is a governmentwide taxonomy used to categorize what the U.S. government buys, supporting consistent reporting, analysis, and transparency across procurement systems and contract data. PSCs are governed by the PSC Manual and captured on each FPDS record to indicate the predominant product or service purchased. ¹
PSC 1915 covers Cargo and Tanker Vessels within Group 19 (Ships, Small Craft, Pontoons, and Floating Docks). Group 19 is limited to complete vessels; parts, accessories, and related shipboard equipment are instead classified under Ship and Marine Equipment (Group 20). Adjacent Group 19 classes distinguish passenger/transport vessels, special‑service vessels, barges/lighters, and other categories. ¹

See also on G2X:

• G2X — PSC 1915 overview
• G2X — PSC 1910 Transport Vessels, Passenger and Troop
• G2X — PSC 1930 Barges and Lighters, Cargo

What this PSC covers

• Complete cargo ships acquired as end items (e.g., general cargo or dry bulk vessels). ¹
• Complete tanker ships intended to transport liquid cargoes (e.g., oil or product tankers). ¹
• Vessels categorized by function as cargo or tanker rather than passenger, combat, or special service. ¹
• Only whole vessels (with or without hull) under Group 19; components and accessories are not classified here. ¹
• Boundary note: parts, assemblies, and shipboard equipment are classified under Ship and Marine Equipment (Group 20), not 1915. ¹
• Distinction from barges/lighters: those are separately categorized under 1930 and 1935, not under 1915. ¹
• Specific subtypes (e.g., container ships, roll‑on/roll‑off, crude/product/chemical tankers): Not specified by official sources. ²

Related NAICS and PSC codes

Related PSC classes per the PSC Manual (Group 19). ¹

Type	Code	Descriptor
PSC	1910	Transport Vessels, Passenger and Troop
PSC	1925	Special Service Vessels
PSC	1930	Barges and Lighters, Cargo
PSC	1950	Floating Drydocks

Boundary and adjacency notes (within Group 19)

• Use 1915 when the end item is a complete cargo or tanker vessel; do not use it for components, accessories, or equipment. Those belong to Ship and Marine Equipment classes. ¹
• Passenger/troop transports fall under 1910, not 1915. ¹
• Tugs, cable ships, ice breakers, salvage and rescue ships are Special Service Vessels under 1925, not 1915. ¹
• Cargo and special‑purpose barges/lighters are covered by 1930 or 1935, not 1915. ¹
• The Group 19 note applies across all its classes: only complete ships, floating docks, floating dry docks, and dredges belong here. ¹

Adjacent service PSCs commonly paired in maritime acquisitions

• J019 Maintenance, Repair, and Rebuilding of Equipment—Ships, Small Craft, Pontoons, and Floating Docks. ¹
• K019 Modification of Equipment—Ships, Small Craft, Pontoons, and Floating Docks. ¹
• N019 Installation of Equipment—Ships, Small Craft, Pontoons, and Floating Docks. ¹
• W019 Lease or Rental of Equipment—Ships, Small Craft, Pontoons, and Floating Docks. ¹
• For large, non‑nuclear ship repair actions, see regional code J998 (Non‑Nuclear Ship Repair (East)). ¹

FPDS reporting pointers

• Agencies record a single PSC per action in FPDS data element 8A, reflecting the predominant product or service acquired. ¹
• Environmental attributes, when applicable, are reported in FPDS data element 8L and are separate from the PSC selection. ¹
• The PSC Manual is the authoritative source for interpreting class boundaries and should guide selection when multiple items are included. ¹

Frequently asked questions

• What does PSC 1915 include?
  PSC 1915 covers complete cargo and tanker vessels acquired as end items. It excludes parts, accessories, and shipboard equipment, which fall under Ship and Marine Equipment (Group 20). The focus is on the vessel’s primary function as cargo/tanker rather than passenger, combat, or special service. ¹

• How is 1915 different from 1930 or 1935?
  1915 covers complete cargo or tanker ships. 1930 and 1935 cover cargo and special‑purpose barges/lighters, respectively—distinct hull forms and use cases. Passenger or troop transport vessels are separately coded under 1910. ¹

• Are components for cargo or tanker vessels coded under 1915?
  No. Group 19 is reserved for complete vessels. Parts, attachments, accessories, and shipboard systems are assigned to Ship and Marine Equipment classes (Group 20), not 1915. This applies even when the components are specifically intended for cargo or tanker ships. ¹

• Where can a contracting office verify PSCs during acquisition planning?
  Use the PSC Manual on Acquisition.gov for authoritative definitions and class boundaries, and consult current/archived editions as needed. The manual provides Group 19 notes and class-specific scope statements that govern correct code selection. ²

• Are official subtype breakouts (e.g., RO/RO vs. container; crude vs. product tankers) provided for 1915?
  Not specified by official sources. The PSC Manual does not enumerate subtypes within 1915; agencies should classify by predominant function as cargo or tanker. If greater specificity is required, describe subtypes in CLIN/line item text or data fields. ²

Useful resources

• Product and Service Codes (PSC) Manual — April 2025 edition (PDF). ¹
• PSC Manual portal and current/archived versions. ²
• PSC Selection Tool (psctool.us). ⁴
• SAM.gov — Entity Information page (links to classification resources). ³

References

1. Acquisition.gov — PSC Manual April 2025 (PDF). https://www.acquisition.gov/sites/default/files/manual/PSC%20Manual%20April%202025.pdf
2. Acquisition.gov — Product and Service Code Manual (portal). https://www.acquisition.gov/psc-manual
3. SAM.gov — Entity Information. https://sam.gov/content/entity-information
4. PSC Selection Tool. https://psctool.us/