PSC AG12

Overview

The Product Service Code (PSC) system is a governmentwide taxonomy used to classify the products, services, and research and development that agencies buy, enabling consistent reporting in the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) and stewardship through the PSC Manual. PSCs record “what” was purchased on each contract action to support spending analysis and transparency. ¹

PSC AG12 — Energy R&D Services; Energy Supply; Applied Research — is used when the principal purpose of the award is applied research focused on energy supply. Applied research is research directed toward a specific, practical aim or objective, as distinct from basic research (AG11) or experimental development (AG13). Agencies select an R&D PSC based on the predominant objective of the effort. ²

See also on G2X:

• G2X — PSC AG12 overview
• G2X — PSC AG11 (Energy Supply; Basic Research)
• G2X — PSC AG13 (Energy Supply; Experimental Development)

What this PSC covers

• Applied research efforts in the energy supply domain aimed at practical objectives, as defined for R&D reporting. ²
• Studies that translate energy-related basic findings into specific applications or solutions for supply challenges. ²
• Laboratory or analytical investigations to evaluate feasibility and reduce technical risk for energy supply purposes. ²
• Modeling, simulation, and test activities supporting defined, application-oriented energy supply outcomes. ²
• Targeted investigations to mature concepts toward prototypes without entering experimental development. ²
• Topic selection and scope are limited to “Energy Supply” within the Energy R&D family; specific technologies: Not specified by official sources ²

Related NAICS and PSC codes

Verified in the PSC Manual; include adjacent energy R&D stages and support codes. ²

Type | Code | Descriptor

• | - | - PSC | AG11 | Energy R&D Services; Energy Supply; Basic Research PSC | AG13 | Energy R&D Services; Energy Supply; Experimental Development PSC | AG14 | Energy R&D Services; Energy Supply; R&D Administrative Expenses PSC | AG15 | Energy R&D Services; Energy Supply; Expenses for R&D Facilities and Major Equipment

Stage definitions and boundaries for R&D reporting

• Basic research (e.g., AG11): systematic study to gain fuller knowledge of fundamental aspects without specific applications in mind. ²
• Applied research (i.e., AG12): original investigation directed primarily toward a specific, practical aim or objective within energy supply. ²
• Experimental development (e.g., AG13): creative, systematic work to produce new or improved products or processes based on research results. ²

FPDS reporting notes for AG12

• Report an R&D PSC only when the principal purpose of the action is research and experimental development; otherwise use the appropriate service or product PSC. ²
• The PSC is reported in FPDS data element 8A; environmental attributes (where applicable) are reported in element 8L. These fields support governmentwide reporting and cannot substitute for selecting the correct R&D stage. ²
• Do not assign an R&D PSC to products bought in support of R&D; select the relevant product PSC instead (e.g., electric power supply may be coded as 9105, not AG12). ²

Frequently asked questions

• What work belongs under PSC AG12?

  Work whose primary objective is applied research within the energy supply domain, aimed at specific, practical outcomes. It is distinct from basic research (AG11) and from experimental development (AG13) that produces or improves products or processes. ²

• How should a contracting action be coded if it buys equipment to support energy research?

  Do not use an R&D PSC for procurement of equipment or other products supporting research; select the appropriate product PSC. R&D PSCs apply only when the principal purpose is research and experimental development services. ²

• Are there official NAICS codes specifically mapped to PSC AG12?

  Not specified by official sources. The PSC Manual governs R&D PSC definitions and selection and does not prescribe NAICS crosswalks for AG12. Not specified by official sources ¹

• When is AG12 inappropriate compared with AG13?

  If the effort moves beyond applied investigation into producing or improving specific products or processes, it is experimental development and should be coded under AG13. User demonstrations and pre-production activities are excluded from R&D. ²

• Where in FPDS are PSC and environmental attributes recorded for AG12 actions?

  PSC is entered under FPDS data element 8A; environmental attributes, when applicable, are captured under element 8L. These entries enable consistent governmentwide reporting and analysis. ²

Useful resources

• G2X — PSC AG12 page
• Product and Service Code (PSC) Manual — library and current versions. ¹
• PSC Manual (April 2025, current) — definitions, R&D stage guidance, and code listings. ²
• PSC April 2025 spreadsheet — current machine-readable PSC list. ³

References

1. Product and Service Code Manual landing page, Acquisition.gov: https://www.acquisition.gov/psc-manual
2. PSC Manual April 2025 (PDF), Acquisition.gov: https://login.acquisition.gov/sites/default/files/manual/PSC%20Manual%20April%202025.pdf
3. PSC April 2025 spreadsheet (XLSX), Acquisition.gov: https://www.acquisition.gov/content/psc-april-2025.xlsx