PSC 9530

Overview

The Product Service Code (PSC) system is a governmentwide taxonomy that classifies what the U.S. government buys, supporting procurement reporting and analysis in FPDS and related systems. PSCs are maintained through the official PSC Manual, which provides coding guidance used across acquisition platforms. ¹
PSC 9530 — “Bars and Rods, Nonferrous Base Metal” — is a product code within PSC Group 95 (Metal Bars, Sheets, and Shapes). It is used when the principal deliverable is nonferrous base metal stock in bar or rod form. Related classes distinguish plates/sheets and structural shapes; the PSC Manual also defines “bars” and “rods” generally under class 9510. ¹

What this PSC covers

• Nonferrous base metal stock supplied specifically as bars or rods, as identified in PSC Section D. ¹
• Purchases where the predominant deliverable is barstock or rod material rather than finished parts. ¹
• Use when nonferrous composition is the defining characteristic; related classes cover plates/sheets (9535) and structural shapes (9540). ¹
• Application of general PSC Manual definitions for “bars” and “rods” (elongated uniform cross-sections; rods are thin round bars), referenced under 9510. ¹
• Exclusions commonly treated elsewhere include threaded rods (5306) and grooved rods (5340), per PSC notes under 9510. ¹
• Items not explicitly scoped in the PSC Manual for 9530: Not specified by official sources. ²

Related NAICS and PSC codes

Type	Code	Descriptor
PSC	9510	Bars and Rods
PSC	9525	Wire, Nonelectrical, Nonferrous Base Metal
PSC	9535	Plate, Sheet, Strip, and Foil; Nonferrous Base Metal
PSC	9540	Structural Shapes, Nonferrous Base Metal

Entries verified in PSC Manual Section D (Products). ¹

Coding and reporting notes

• The PSC is reported in FPDS data element 8A (“Product or Service Code”); select the code that represents the predominant product when multiple line items exist. ¹
• Environmental/attribute reporting (e.g., recovered content) is recorded separately in FPDS data element 8L and is distinct from the PSC selection. ¹

Frequently asked questions

• What is the difference between PSC 9530 and 9510?
  9510 provides general definitions for bars and rods across metals; 9530 applies that form factor specifically to nonferrous base metals. Use 9530 when nonferrous composition is the defining attribute. ¹

• When should 9530 be used instead of 9535?
  Use 9530 for bar or rod stock; use 9535 for plate, sheet, strip, and foil in nonferrous base metals. The PSC Manual distinguishes these classes by form. ¹

• Are threaded or grooved rods included in 9530?
  No. Threaded rods are classified under 5306 and grooved rods under 5340, per the PSC notes that accompany the bars and rods definitions. ¹

• Does the PSC Manual list specific alloys for 9530?
  Not specified by official sources. ²

• How is PSC data used for environmental reporting?
  Environmental attributes are recorded in FPDS data element 8L and are independent of the PSC coding in element 8A. Agencies select applicable attributes (e.g., energy efficient, recovered content) based on the predominant product in the action. ¹

Useful resources

• G2X — PSC 9530 overview: https://app.g2xchange.com/psc/9530
• PSC Manual — main page (acquisition.gov): https://www.acquisition.gov/psc-manual
• PSC Manual April 2025 (PDF): https://www.acquisition.gov/content/psc-manual-april-2025.pdf

References

1. Acquisition.gov — PSC Manual April 2025 (PDF): https://www.acquisition.gov/content/psc-manual-april-2025.pdf
2. Acquisition.gov — Product and Service Code Manual: https://www.acquisition.gov/psc-manual