PSC AH23

Overview

The Product Service Code (PSC) is a governmentwide taxonomy used to classify products, services, and research the U.S. federal government buys, enabling consistent reporting, analysis, and spend transparency across systems such as FPDS and agency reporting in SAM. PSCs are issued and maintained through the PSC Manual and include structured families for R&D with stage indicators for basic research, applied research, experimental development, and supporting activities. ¹

PSC AH23 denotes “Natural Resources & Environment R&D Services; Conservation & Land Management; Experimental Development.” Use it when the predominant purpose of the action is stage‑3 experimental development within the Conservation & Land Management sub‑area of the AH (Natural Resources & Environment) R&D family—e.g., prototype design/build/test and first‑of‑a‑kind technology demonstrations that extend prior research toward practical application. ¹

See also on G2X:

• G2X — PSC AH23 overview: https://app.g2xchange.com/psc/AH23
• G2X — PSC AH22: https://app.g2xchange.com/psc/AH22
• G2X — PSC AH24: https://app.g2xchange.com/psc/AH24

What this PSC covers

• Experimental development work to produce or improve conservation/land‑management methods, systems, devices, or processes, including design, construction, and testing of experimental prototypes. ¹
• First‑of‑a‑kind technology demonstrations for conservation or land‑management systems at scale, with additional refinements expected after demonstration. ¹
• Creative and systematic R&D activities that apply prior research and practical experience to generate new or improved conservation/land‑management solutions. ¹
• Experimental development efforts that are the predominant purpose of the contract action within the Conservation & Land Management sub‑area. ¹
• Activities coded to stage “3” within the AH2x family (Conservation & Land Management), as distinguished from basic research (“1”) and applied research (“2”). ¹
• Excludes user demonstrations for a specific use case validation and pre‑production development for manufacturing; these should not be coded as R&D. ¹

Related NAICS and PSC codes

Coding notes and boundaries

• Report an R&D PSC only when the action is for research and experimental development services; products purchased in support of R&D must be coded with the appropriate product PSC. ¹
• The AH family’s fourth digit indicates stage: 1 = Basic Research, 2 = Applied Research, 3 = Experimental Development, 4 = R&D Administrative Expenses, 5 = R&D Facilities & Major Equipment. ¹
• For experimental development, include prototype design/build/test and qualifying technology demonstrations; exclude user demonstrations to validate costs/benefits and pre‑production development for manufacturing. ¹
• In FPDS, the PSC field should reflect the predominant product or service of the action. ¹
• Agencies also use PSCs for Service Contract Inventory reporting in SAM per DFARS PGI 204.1703. ³

Where AH23 fits in the AH R&D family

• AH1x: Water Resources (e.g., AH13 for experimental development). ¹
• AH2x: Conservation & Land Management (e.g., AH23 for experimental development). ¹
• AH3x: Recreational Resources (e.g., AH33). ¹
• AH4x: Pollution Control & Abatement (e.g., AH43). ¹
• AH5x: Other Natural Resources (e.g., AH53). ¹

Frequently asked questions

• What does PSC AH23 represent?
  It captures experimental development R&D within Conservation & Land Management, including creating or improving methods, systems, or devices and testing experimental prototypes or first‑of‑a‑kind demonstrations where further refinement is anticipated before operational use. ¹

• How does AH23 differ from AH22 and AH24?
  AH22 is applied research (stage 2), while AH23 is experimental development (stage 3). AH24 covers R&D administrative expenses rather than technical research or development work. ¹

• When should AH23 not be used?
  Do not use an R&D code for products bought in support of R&D, user demonstrations validating specific use cases, or pre‑production development for manufacturing; these are outside the scope of R&D per PSC Manual guidance. ¹

• Is there an official NAICS crosswalk for AH23?
  Not specified by official sources. ²

• Where is AH23 captured in federal systems?
  In FPDS, PSC codes are recorded in the PSC field. PSCs are also referenced for Service Contract Inventory reporting in SAM under DFARS PGI 204.1703. ³

Useful resources

• G2X — PSC AH23 page: https://app.g2xchange.com/psc/AH23
• Product and Service Codes (PSC) Manual — April 2025 (PDF). ¹
• PSC Manual index and downloads (current and archives). ²
• DFARS PGI 204.1703 — Service Contract Inventory PSC guidance. ³

References

1. Acquisition.gov — Product and Service Code Manual, April 2025 (PDF): https://www.acquisition.gov/sites/default/files/manual/PSC%20Manual%20April%202025.pdf
2. Acquisition.gov — Product and Service Code Manual landing page: https://www.acquisition.gov/psc-manual
3. Acquisition.gov — DFARS PGI 204.1703 Service Contract Inventory (PSC use in SAM): https://www.acquisition.gov/node/55702/printable/print