PSC AA13

Overview

The U.S. government uses the Product and Service Code (PSC) system to classify what is bought in federal procurement, enabling consistent reporting and analysis. PSCs are recorded on contract actions in the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) and maintained through the PSC Manual issued by GSA. ¹

PSC AA13 designates Agriculture Research and Development (R&D) Services — Experimental Development. The PSC Manual defines experimental development as creative and systematic work, drawing on research and practical experience, directed at producing new products or processes or improving existing ones. For agriculture, AA13 is used when the primary purpose is to develop, demonstrate, and refine agricultural technologies, methods, or systems (e.g., prototypes, pilot-scale demonstrations), not to buy products supporting R&D. ²

See also on G2X:

• G2X — PSC AA13 overview
• G2X — PSC AA12 (Applied Research)
• G2X — PSC AA11 (Basic Research)

What this PSC covers

• Experimental development of agricultural products or processes that build on prior research to create or improve tangible solutions or methods. ²
• Design, construction, and testing of experimental prototypes for agriculture-focused systems, devices, or techniques. ²
• Technology demonstrations in agriculture when first-of-a-kind systems are shown at scale and further refinements are realistically expected. ²
• Pilot-scale integration of components and field experimentation aimed at validating and maturing agricultural innovations. ²
• Iterative development activities that generate additional knowledge while advancing agricultural technologies toward practical use. ²
• Experimental development work separate from administrative overhead and separate from facilities or major equipment purchases. ²

Related NAICS and PSC codes

Related PSCs within the Agriculture R&D family per the PSC Manual. ²

Boundaries with related PSCs

• Use AA12 when work is applied research primarily aimed at a practical objective, but not yet focused on producing or improving specific products or processes. ²
• Charge R&D administrative overhead to AA14, not to AA13. ²
• Use AA15 for expenses related to R&D facilities and major movable instruments; minor equipment and non-R&D supplies should be coded under the appropriate product PSCs. ²
• Do not assign any R&D code when purchasing products in support of R&D; select the applicable product PSC instead. ²

How FPDS classifies R&D stages

R&D PSCs use two letters (major area) plus two digits. The fourth character denotes the stage of R&D: 1=Basic Research, 2=Applied Research, 3=Experimental Development, 4=R&D Administrative Expenses, 5=R&D Facilities and Major Equipment. Code AA13 therefore represents Agriculture R&D at the Experimental Development stage. ²

Frequently asked questions

• What does PSC AA13 include?

  It covers experimental development in agriculture: creating or improving products/processes; designing, building, and testing experimental prototypes; and first-of-a-kind technology demonstrations where further refinements are expected. It excludes routine product purchases coded under product PSCs. ²

• How is AA13 different from AA12?

  AA12 is applied research—investigation directed toward a practical aim—while AA13 is development that turns knowledge into new or improved products/processes, typically involving prototypes and demonstrations. ²

• Are pilot demonstrations and prototypes in agriculture coded as AA13?

  Yes, when they are experimental prototypes or first-of-a-kind technology demonstrations conducted with reasonable expectation of further design refinement. User demos to validate costs/benefits and low‑rate initial production are excluded from AA13. ²

• Does AA13 cover R&D facilities or major instruments?

  No. Obligations for R&D facilities and major movable instruments belong under AA15. Administrative overhead (e.g., program management, general support) belongs under AA14, and routine commodity purchases should use the applicable product PSCs. ²

• Is there an official NAICS crosswalk for AA13?

  Not specified by official sources. Contracting teams should determine NAICS based on the principal purpose of the work described in the solicitation and document their rationale in acquisition planning. ¹

Useful resources

• Acquisition.gov — Product and Service Code Manual (landing page). ¹
• Acquisition.gov — PSC Manual, April 2025 Edition (PDF). ²
• DPCAP Product Service Code Selection Tool. ³

References

1. Acquisition.gov — Product and Service Code Manual (landing page): https://www.acquisition.gov/psc-manual
2. Acquisition.gov — PSC Manual, April 2025 Edition (PDF): https://www.acquisition.gov/sites/default/files/manual/PSC%20Manual%20April%202025.pdf
3. DPCAP Product Service Code Selection Tool: https://psctool.us