PSC AG31

Overview

The Product Service Code (PSC) system standardizes how U.S. federal purchases are categorized for reporting and analysis in government acquisition systems. PSCs identify what was bought on each contract action and are maintained through the PSC Manual used for FPDS reporting and related acquisition workflows. ¹

PSC AG31 designates Energy R&D Services focused on Emergency Energy Preparedness at the Basic Research stage. It sits within the Energy R&D Services family (AG series), which distinguishes research type (basic, applied, experimental), administrative expenses, and facilities/major equipment. Agencies record this PSC on contract actions when the primary purpose is basic research related to emergency energy preparedness. ²

See also on G2X:

• G2X — PSC AG31: https://app.g2xchange.com/psc/AG31
• Related G2X pages: AG32 (Applied Research), AG33 (Experimental Development)

What this PSC covers

• Basic research under Energy R&D Services addressing Emergency Energy Preparedness. ²
• Use when the principal purpose is foundational scientific inquiry, not development or demonstration; specifics beyond the descriptor are not specified by official sources. ¹
• Excludes applied research and experimental development, which map to AG32 and AG33, respectively. ²
• Excludes R&D administrative expenses; those are coded AG34. ²
• Excludes expenses for R&D facilities and major equipment; those are coded AG35. ²

Related NAICS and PSC codes

Coding guidance highlights for R&D PSCs

• R&D codes describe efforts that are novel, creative, uncertain, systematic, and transferable/reproducible; classify by the predominant purpose of the award. ²
• Do not assign an R&D PSC to supplies or equipment purchased in support of R&D; use the appropriate product PSC instead. ²
• Enter the PSC in FPDS data element 8A; select a single code based on the dominant share of the contract value if multiple activities exist. ²
• The AG series covers Energy R&D Services across energy supply, conservation, emergency preparedness, and energy information/policy areas; choose the sub-area that best fits scope. ²

Frequently asked questions

• What does PSC AG31 represent?

  • AG31 identifies Energy R&D Services for Emergency Energy Preparedness at the Basic Research stage. Use it when the principal purpose is fundamental inquiry that advances knowledge, not the application, integration, or demonstration of solutions. It distinguishes basic research from AG32 and AG33. ²

• How is AG31 different from AG32 and AG33?

  • AG31 covers Basic Research. AG32 covers Applied Research aimed at practical objectives, and AG33 covers Experimental Development, including prototyping and pilot efforts. Select based on the predominant purpose and technical maturity of the work. ²

• Should purchases of lab equipment for a basic-research project be coded AG31?

  • No. Do not use R&D PSCs for supplies, materials, or equipment bought to support research activities. Instead, code the product itself with the appropriate product PSC. Reserve AG31 for awards whose primary purpose is conducting basic research services. ²

• Where is the PSC captured in federal reporting?

  • In FPDS, the PSC is captured as data element 8A (Product or Service Code), indicating “what” was procured on the action. Values must be valid PSCs from the current PSC Manual or dataset to ensure consistent governmentwide reporting. ³

Useful resources

• G2X — PSC AG31: https://app.g2xchange.com/psc/AG31
• PSC Manual April 2025 (PDF) — Research and Development Codes, including AG31. ²
• PSC Manual library (Acquisition.gov) — current and archived manuals and datasets. ¹
• FPDS Data Dictionary — element 8A Product or Service Code. ³

References

1. Acquisition.gov — Product and Service Code Manual (library): https://www.acquisition.gov/psc-manual
2. Acquisition.gov — PSC Manual April 2025 (PDF), Section A: Research and Development Codes (AG – Energy R&D Services): https://www.acquisition.gov/sites/default/files/manual/PSC%20Manual%20April%202025.pdf
3. FPDS.gov — V1.4 FPDS-NG Data Dictionary, element 8A Product or Service Code: https://www.fpds.gov/wiki/index.php/V1.4_FPDS-NG_Data_Dictionary