PSC 8470

Overview

The Product Service Code (PSC) system is a federal taxonomy used to categorize supplies and services so agencies can consistently classify what is purchased, enabling accurate reporting, analysis, and transparency in procurement data. PSCs are reported in FPDS and referenced across acquisition systems; the code set is maintained through the PSC Manual on acquisition.gov. ¹

PSC 8470 covers personal armor and is part of Federal Supply Group 84 for clothing and individual equipment. Official guidance defines it as “Armor, Personal,” including clothing specially designed for use as personal armor. It expressly excludes specialized flight clothing and accessories and other special‑purpose garments where ballistic protection is not the primary function. ¹

What this PSC covers

• Ballistic‑resistant protective garments where the primary function is personal armor (e.g., body‑armor vests). ¹
• Hard armor plates and inserts intended to be worn with protective vests (e.g., front/back ceramic or composite plates). ²
• Soft armor panels and textile ballistic inserts integrated into protective clothing systems. ¹
• Personal armor ensembles purchased as clothing items rather than standalone equipment or accessories. ¹
• Excludes specialized flight clothing and accessories even if they incorporate ballistic properties; such items are classified under 8475. ¹
• Excludes special‑purpose clothing where ballistic protection is not the principal purpose; such items fall under 8415. ¹

Related NAICS and PSC codes

Type | Code | Descriptor

• | - | - PSC | 8465 | Individual Equipment PSC | 8415 | Clothing, Special Purpose PSC | 8475 | Specialized Flight Clothing and Accessories

DoD coordinated acquisition assignment

Within DoD’s Coordinated Acquisition Program, Federal Supply Class 84 items—including 8465, 8470, and 8475—are assigned to the Defense Logistics Agency’s Troop Support center (formerly DSCP) as the acquiring activity for coordinated buys. This assignment guides where military departments route consolidated requirements for these classes. ³

Illustrative line‑item and NSN usage

DFARS PGI contracting examples show body‑armor vest line items with associated NSNs coded to 8470 (e.g., medium/large vest configurations with front and back plates), illustrating how ballistic vests and their plate components are captured under this PSC in contract structure and numbering. ²

Frequently asked questions

• What is the official definition of PSC 8470?

  • The PSC Manual defines 8470 as “Armor, Personal,” covering clothing specially designed as personal armor. It excludes specialized flight clothing and accessories and garments whose principal purpose is not ballistic protection, which are classified elsewhere in FSG 84. ¹

• What items are typically purchased under PSC 8470?

  • Typical buys include soft‑armor vests and compatible hard plates or inserts worn with those vests. DFARS PGI CLIN examples demonstrate body‑armor configurations, with vests and ceramic plates associated to NSNs coded under 8470, reinforcing the code’s focus on personal armor garments. ²

• Who is the primary DoD buying activity for PSC 8470 under coordinated acquisition?

  • DoD assigns FSG 84 classes, including 8470, to DLA Troop Support (DSCP) for coordinated acquisition. Military departments route consolidated requirements to that activity for sourcing and procurement of these items. ³

• How is PSC 8470 different from clothing coded under 8415 or flight gear under 8475?

  • 8470 applies when ballistic protection is the garment’s primary function. 8415 covers special‑purpose clothing not primarily intended for ballistic protection, and 8475 covers specialized flight clothing and accessories. ¹

• Are there official NAICS crosswalks for PSC 8470?

  • Not specified by official sources. ¹

Useful resources

• G2X — PSC 8470 overview
• Product and Service Code Manual (April 2025 edition). ¹
• DFARS PGI 204.7104‑2 example showing body‑armor CLINs and 8470‑coded NSNs. ²
• DFARS PGI 208.7006 coordinated acquisition assignments (FSG 84 to DLA Troop Support/DSCP). ³

References

1. Product and Service Code Manual (April 2025), acquisition.gov. https://www.acquisition.gov/sites/default/files/manual/PSC%20Manual%20April%202025.pdf
2. DFARS PGI 204.7104‑2 Numbering procedures (CLIN examples with 8470 NSNs). https://www.acquisition.gov/dfarspgi/pgi-204.7104-2-numbering-procedures
3. PGI Part 208 – Coordinated acquisition assignments (FSC 84 listing for DSCP). https://www.acquisition.gov/dfarspgi/pgi-part-208-required-sources-supplies-and-services