PSC 1925

Overview

The Product Service Code (PSC) system is a governmentwide taxonomy used to classify the products and services the U.S. federal government buys. Agencies record PSCs in FPDS as the “what was bought” data element, and the PSC Manual governs code definitions, maintenance, and selection guidance across FPDS and SAM.gov. ¹

PSC 1925 — Special Service Vessels — covers complete vessels designed for specialized duties other than combat or routine cargo/passenger transport. Examples include tugs, towboats, fire boats, icebreakers, repair ships, tender vessels, lightships, cable ships, and salvage/submarine‑rescue vessels. Combat vessels and dredges are excluded. ²

What this PSC covers

• Tugs and towboats used for harbor and towing operations. ²
• Fire boats employed for maritime firefighting and emergency response. ²
• Icebreakers designed for ice management and channel clearing. ²
• Repair ships serving as mobile maintenance platforms. ²
• Tender vessels, including buoy tenders, lighthouse tenders, and destroyer tenders. ²
• Lightships used as navigational aids or station vessels. ²
• Cable ships and salvage or submarine‑rescue vessels. ²

Related NAICS and PSC codes

Per the PSC Manual, adjacent classes in Group 19 help delineate scope boundaries for PSC 1925. ²

Type	Code	Descriptor
PSC	1920	Fishing Vessels
PSC	1930	Barges and Lighters, Cargo
PSC	1955	Dredges
PSC	1990	Miscellaneous Vessels

Scope notes and boundaries

• Group 19 includes only complete ships, small craft, floating docks, floating dry docks, and dredges; end items, assemblies, parts, attachments, or accessories are classified in Group 20 (Ship and Marine Equipment) unless another class applies. ²
• PSC 1925 expressly excludes combat vessels and dredges; dredges belong under PSC 1955. ²
• When mixed items appear on an award, select a single PSC based on the predominant item being purchased, per Manual guidance. ¹

Related service PSCs for repair and overhaul

• Repairs to vessels themselves are typically coded under service PSC J019 (Maintenance, Repair, and Rebuilding of Equipment—Ships, Small Craft, Pontoons, and Floating Docks). ²
• Non‑nuclear ship repair may also use regional service PSCs J998 (East of the 108th meridian) and J999 (West of the 108th meridian), as defined in the Manual. ²

Frequently asked questions

• What vessels are included in PSC 1925?

  • PSC 1925 covers tugs, towboats, fire boats, icebreakers, repair ships, tender vessels (buoy, lighthouse, destroyer), lightships, cable ships, and salvage or submarine‑rescue vessels. It excludes combat ships and dredges, which are classified separately. Use this class for complete, non‑combat vessels performing specialized missions. ²

• When should PSC 1925 be used instead of PSC 1955?

  • Use PSC 1925 for complete special‑service vessels such as tugs, fire boats, or icebreakers. Use PSC 1955 specifically for dredges. The PSC Manual segregates dredges into Class 1955 and excludes them from Class 1925. ²

• How are parts or accessories for special service vessels coded?

  • Do not use Group 19 for parts, attachments, or accessories. Classify those items under Group 20 (Ship and Marine Equipment) unless another, more specific class outside Group 19 applies. Group 19 is reserved for complete vessels and certain floating structures. ²

• Which PSC applies to repair or overhaul of special service vessels?

  • Repair and overhaul are services, typically coded as PSC J019. For non‑nuclear ship repair, Department of Defense awards may use regional PSCs J998 (East of the 108th meridian) or J999 (West of the 108th meridian), as defined in the PSC Manual. ²

• How are PSCs recorded in federal reports?

  • Agencies record PSCs in FPDS as the Product or Service Code data element, indicating “what was bought.” Selection and use are governed by the PSC Manual, which provides definitions and predominant‑item guidance for mixed buys. This ensures consistent reporting and supports spend analysis and transparency. ¹

Useful resources

• G2X — PSC 1925: https://app.g2xchange.com/psc/1925
• Product and Service Code Manual (portal and current files), Acquisition.gov. ¹
• PSC Manual April 2025 (current edition, PDF), Acquisition.gov. ²

References

1. Product and Service Code Manual portal, Acquisition.gov. https://www.acquisition.gov/psc-manual
2. PSC Manual April 2025 (PDF), Acquisition.gov. https://www.acquisition.gov/sites/default/files/manual/PSC%20Manual%20April%202025.pdf