PSC 5905

Overview

The Product Service Code (PSC) system is a governmentwide taxonomy that classifies the products and services the U.S. government buys so spending can be consistently coded, tracked, analyzed, and reported across procurement systems. PSCs are entered on contract actions in FPDS and are maintained through the PSC Manual issued by GSA. ¹

PSC 5905 identifies “Resistors” within Federal Supply Group 59 (Electrical and Electronic Equipment Components). Per the PSC Manual, this class includes varistors, resistive ballast tubes, rheostats, resistor networks, resistor mounting hardware, and thermistors; it excludes resistance wire. It is used to report procurements of discrete resistive components and assemblies. ¹

What this PSC covers

• Discrete resistors and resistor elements used in electrical/electronic circuits. ¹
• Varistors for overvoltage protection applications. ¹
• Thermistors for temperature sensing or compensation. ¹
• Rheostats and adjustable resistive control devices. ¹
• Resistor networks and arrays. ¹
• Mounting hardware designed specifically for resistors (e.g., brackets, retainers). ¹
• Exclusions: resistance wire (classified outside PSC 5905). ¹

Related NAICS and PSC codes

Type	Code	Descriptor
PSC	5910	Capacitors; includes interference filter capacitors and mounting hardware. 1
PSC	5915	Filters and networks composed of combinations of resistors, capacitors, or coils (not resistors-only, which remain in 5905). 1
PSC	5950	Coils and transformers (e.g., reactors, transformer assemblies). 1

Source for descriptors: PSC Manual. ¹

Code selection boundaries

• Use PSC 5905 when the line item is solely a resistor-type device or assembly (including varistors, thermistors, rheostats, and resistor networks). ¹
• Use PSC 5915 for filters/networks that combine resistors with capacitors and/or coils; do not code such combinations under 5905. ¹
• Use PSC 5910 for capacitors-only, and PSC 5950 for coils/transformers-only. ¹

Group 59 context

PSC 5905 sits in Group 59 (Electrical and Electronic Equipment Components). Group 59 notes that “mounting hardware” cited in classes includes specially designed items such as brackets and retainers, while general hardware (e.g., screws, bolts, washers) is excluded to other FSC classes. ¹

FPDS environmental attributes (applicability)

• Environmental attributes (e.g., energy efficient, biobased, environmentally preferable) are captured in FPDS data element 8L and reported based on the predominant product purchased on the action. ¹
• The PSC Manual provides the governing definitions and examples for these attributes; selection must align with contract requirements. ¹
• These reporting mechanics apply to product codes such as PSC 5905 when environmental attributes are relevant to the procured item. ¹

Frequently asked questions

• What items are explicitly included in PSC 5905?

  • The PSC Manual lists varistors, resistive ballast tubes, rheostats, resistor networks, resistor-specific mounting hardware, and thermistors as in-scope for PSC 5905. These are discrete resistive devices or assemblies used in electrical and electronic circuits, typically procured as components rather than integrated equipment. ¹

• What is specifically excluded from PSC 5905?

  • Resistance wire is excluded from PSC 5905 and is classified elsewhere. Also note that only mounting hardware specially designed for resistors is included; general hardware such as screws or washers is excluded to other classes under Group 59 conventions. ¹

• When should PSC 5905 be used instead of PSC 5915?

  • Choose PSC 5905 when the item is a resistor-only device (e.g., thermistor, varistor, rheostat, resistor network). Use PSC 5915 for filters or networks that combine resistors with capacitors and/or coils; such combinations are not coded under 5905. ¹

• Is PSC 5905 used in SAM.gov searches?

  • Yes. SAM.gov’s help resources explain how to search opportunities by NAICS or PSC. Users can include specific codes, such as PSC 5905, in filters to refine opportunity results or saved searches, consistent with agency postings and FPDS reporting practices. ³

• Are any NAICS codes officially mapped to PSC 5905?

  • Agencies often pair PSCs with NAICS based on the predominant supply or manufacturing activity, but no official crosswalk is mandated for PSC 5905. Not specified by official sources ².

Useful resources

• G2X — PSC 5905 overview: https://app.g2xchange.com/psc/5905
• PSC Manual (April 2025 edition, PDF). ¹
• PSC data extract (April 2025, XLSX). ⁴
• SAM.gov Help — searching by NAICS or PSC. ³
• DPCAP Product Service Code Selection Tool. ⁵

References

1. PSC Manual April 2025 (PDF), Acquisition.gov: https://www.acquisition.gov/sites/default/files/manual/PSC%20Manual%20April%202025.pdf
2. PSC Manual landing page, Acquisition.gov: https://www.acquisition.gov/psc-manual
3. SAM.gov Help: https://sam.gov/help
4. PSC April 2025 spreadsheet (XLSX), Acquisition.gov: https://www.acquisition.gov/content/psc-april-2025.xlsx
5. DPCAP PSC Selection Tool: https://psctool.us/