PSC 6820

Overview

The Product Service Code system is a standardized taxonomy the U.S. government uses to classify what is being bought so contract actions can be recorded and analyzed across FPDS and related acquisition systems. GSA maintains this structure through the official PSC Manual, which provides product and service definitions that agencies and vendors use during reporting. ²

PSC 6820 designates DYES within Federal Supply Group (FSG) 68 (Chemicals and Chemical Products). It is used when procuring dye materials as end items; the manual explicitly notes that this class includes household tints. Agencies select 6820 when dyes are the predominant item purchased under the action. ⁴

See also on G2X:

• G2X — PSC 6820 overview
• G2X — PSC 6810
• G2X — PSC 6840

What this PSC covers

• Dye materials purchased as discrete products for coloring applications; Not specified by official sources. ¹
• Household tints (e.g., consumer dye tints identified as such by item description). ⁴
• Dyes categorized within FSG 68 rather than as photographic chemicals or diagnostic reagents, which are classified elsewhere. ²
• Dyes procured as the predominant item on an order, consistent with FPDS reporting guidance in the PSC Manual. ²
• DoD purchases of dyes that are “peculiar to chemical warfare” are partially assigned under coordinated acquisition, but still fall under PSC 6820. ³

Related NAICS and PSC codes

Type	Code	Descriptor
PSC	6810	Chemicals
PSC	6830	Gases: Compressed and Liquefied
PSC	6850	Miscellaneous Chemical Specialties

Classification boundaries and adjacent scopes

• Photographic chemicals are classified under PSC 6750 (Photographic Supplies), not PSC 6820. ²
• In vitro diagnostic substances and reagents are classified under PSC 6550, not PSC 6820. ²
• Medicinal chemicals are classified under PSC 6505, not PSC 6820. ²
• Group 68 excludes liquid chemicals designed exclusively for use as propellant fuels and oxidizers. ²

DoD coordinated acquisition note

• Under DFARS PGI coordinated acquisition assignments, PSC 6820 items are assigned to the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) supply chain; a partial assignment applies only to items peculiar to chemical warfare. This affects lead-buying responsibility but does not change the PSC itself. ³

Frequently asked questions

• What exactly does PSC 6820 cover?
  PSC 6820 covers dyes within FSG 68. The PSC Manual specifically lists “Household Tints” in this class; additional subcategories are not detailed by official sources. ⁴ See also on G2X: PSC 6820.

• Are photographic or radiographic dyes coded under 6820?
  No. Photographic supplies, including special photographic chemicals, are classified under PSC 6750, not 6820. ² See also on G2X: PSC 6750.

• How are medical diagnostic stains or reagents classified?
  Diagnostic substances and reagents used for in vitro testing are classified under PSC 6550 and not under 6820. ² See also on G2X: PSC 6550.

• Who leads DoD procurement for dyes?
  DFARS PGI assigns PSC 6820 to DLA for coordinated acquisition; a partial assignment applies only to items peculiar to chemical warfare. This guides lead buying activity. ³ See also on G2X: PSC 6820.

• Is there an official NAICS mapping for PSC 6820?
  Not specified by official sources. ¹ See also on G2X: PSC 6820.

Useful resources

• G2X — PSC 6820 overview
• PSC Manual (current) — landing page and downloads. ¹
• PSC Manual April 2025 (PDF) — authoritative definitions and group notes. ²
• DFARS PGI 208.70 — coordinated acquisition assignments, including PSC 6820. ³
• October 2020 PSC Manual (PDF) — legacy entry showing “Household Tints” under PSC 6820. ⁴

References

1. Product and Service Code Manual — Acquisition.gov (manual landing and downloads): https://www.acquisition.gov/psc-manual
2. PSC Manual April 2025 (PDF), GSA: https://www.acquisition.gov/sites/default/files/manual/PSC%20Manual%20April%202025.pdf
3. DFARS PGI 208.70 Coordinated Acquisition — Acquisition.gov: https://www.acquisition.gov/dfarspgi/pgi-208.70-coordinated-acquisition
4. October 2020 PSC Manual (PDF), legacy edition showing PSC 6820 “Includes: Household Tints”: https://www.acquisition.gov/sites/default/files/manual/October%202020%20PSC%20Manual.pdf