PSC 6550

Overview

The Product Service Code (PSC) is a government-wide taxonomy used to classify what the U.S. federal government buys so spend can be tracked and analyzed in systems like FPDS and SAM. PSCs are governed through the official PSC Manual, which defines code scopes, inclusions, and exclusions to support consistent reporting. ²

PSC 6550 covers in vitro diagnostic substances, reagents, and test kits/sets intended for qualitative or quantitative testing of specimens (for example, blood, urine, feces) to aid medical diagnosis or detect organ dysfunction or other abnormal conditions. It explicitly includes test tablets, slides, strips, cards, papers, solutions, and reagents for in vitro use, and excludes in vivo diagnostic substances (see 6505). ²

See also on G2X:

• G2X — PSC 6632 (Analysis Instruments, Medical Laboratory Use): https://app.g2xchange.com/psc/6632
• G2X — PSC 6505 (Drugs and Biologicals): https://app.g2xchange.com/psc/6505

What this PSC covers

• In vitro diagnostic aids such as test tablets, test slides, test strips, test cards, and test papers. ²
• In vitro diagnostic reagents and solutions used to perform clinical tests on patient specimens. ²
• Complete in vitro diagnostic test kits/sets designed for qualitative or quantitative analysis. ²
• Materials used to support medical diagnosis of disease or detection of organ dysfunction via in vitro methods. ²
• Kits/sets logically classifiable as in vitro diagnostics rather than field medical sets (distinguished from 6545). ²
• Items explicitly excluded from laboratory instruments/equipment classes when those classes defer reagents to 6550 (for example, 6630, 6640). ²

Related NAICS and PSC codes

Descriptors per the PSC Manual. ²

Classification boundaries and exclusions

• PSC 6550 excludes in vivo diagnostic substances, which belong under 6505. ²
• Instrumentation used to run clinical tests (e.g., analyzers, counters, PCR instruments) falls under 6632; corresponding clinical reagents/kits are classified in 6550. ²
• General laboratory equipment and supplies are classified under 6640, not in 6550. ²

FPDS coding tips for 6550

• Select the PSC based on the predominant item being purchased on the action; use 6550 when the principal value is in vitro diagnostic reagents or test kits/sets rather than instruments or services. ²
• Environmental attributes are captured separately in FPDS (data element 8L) and do not alter the PSC; report attributes such as energy efficient, biobased, or environmentally preferable as applicable. ²
• FPDS ezSearch can be used to review how agencies code similar buys and check historical usage of 6550. ³

Frequently asked questions

• What items are explicitly included in PSC 6550?
  The PSC Manual lists in vitro diagnostic aids and kits, including test tablets, slides, strips, cards, papers, solutions, and reagents used to perform qualitative or quantitative tests on patient specimens for medical diagnosis. ² See also on G2X: https://app.g2xchange.com/psc/6550

• How to distinguish PSC 6550 from PSC 6632?
  Use 6550 for in vitro reagents and kits; use 6632 for clinical analyzers/instruments. The Manual explicitly routes clinical laboratory reagents to 6550 and instruments to 6632. ²

• Are in vivo diagnostic agents coded under PSC 6550?
  No. In vivo diagnostic substances are excluded from 6550 and are classified under 6505. ²

• Do laboratory testing services belong in PSC 6550?
  No. Stand-alone reference laboratory testing is a service and is coded under Q301; reagents and kits remain supplies under 6550. ²

• Does PSC 6550 enumerate disease-specific test kits?
  The Manual defines 6550 by functional use (in vitro diagnostic kits/reagents) and specimen testing, not by specific diseases or conditions. Not specified by official sources ¹.

Useful resources

• G2X — PSC 6550 overview: https://app.g2xchange.com/psc/6550
• Product and Service Code Manual (landing page): https://www.acquisition.gov/psc-manual ¹
• PSC Manual — April 2025 Edition (PDF): https://www.acquisition.gov/sites/default/files/manual/PSC%20Manual%20April%202025.pdf ²
• FPDS help — ezSearch user guidance: https://www.fpds.gov/help/index.jsp ³

References

1. Acquisition.gov — Product and Service Code Manual (landing): https://www.acquisition.gov/psc-manual
2. Acquisition.gov — PSC Manual, April 2025 (PDF): https://www.acquisition.gov/sites/default/files/manual/PSC%20Manual%20April%202025.pdf
3. FPDS.gov — Help: ezSearch: https://www.fpds.gov/help/index.jsp