PSC B505

Overview

The Product Service Code (PSC) system is a government-wide taxonomy that categorizes what the federal government buys, supporting standardized classification in contracting systems and enabling consistent tracking, analysis, and reporting of spend. PSCs are maintained in the PSC Manual and are entered on contract actions in the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS). ¹

PSC B505 denotes “Special Studies/Analysis – Cost Benefit” within Category B (Special Studies/Analysis, Not R&D). Use it when the predominant purpose of the action is an analytic study that evaluates costs and benefits, rather than performance of program execution, operations, or research and development. ¹

See also on G2X:

• G2X — PSC B505 overview: https://app.g2xchange.com/psc/B505
• G2X — PSC B507 Special Studies/Analysis – Economic: https://app.g2xchange.com/psc/B507
• G2X — PSC B513 Special Studies/Analysis – Feasibility (Non-Construction): https://app.g2xchange.com/psc/B513

What this PSC covers

• Non-R&D special studies or analyses where the primary objective is to assess costs and benefits associated with a program, policy, acquisition, or alternative course of action. ¹
• Work where the cost-benefit assessment is the predominant deliverable, not ongoing implementation, operations, or production activities. ¹
• Analytic efforts placed in Category B5 (Special Studies/Analysis subfamily) specifically under the “Cost Benefit” descriptor. ¹
• Studies that should be coded by the predominant service even if other tasks are present in the award. ¹
• Efforts that are distinct from feasibility determinations or general economic studies; other B5xx codes may be more appropriate when those are the main focus. ¹
• Mandated methods, models, or calculation techniques: Not specified by official sources. ²

Related NAICS and PSC codes

Type	Code	Descriptor
PSC	B507	Special Studies/Analysis – Economic
PSC	B513	Special Studies/Analysis – Feasibility (Non-Construction)
PSC	B547	Special Studies/Analysis – Accounting/Financial Management
PSC	B528	Special Studies/Analysis – Regulatory

Coding guidance and boundaries

• Use B505 when the predominant purpose is a cost-benefit study; if feasibility is central, consider B513; if broader macro/microeconomic analysis dominates, consider B507. ¹
• Category B is expressly “Special Studies/Analysis, Not R&D”; R&D efforts should be coded under Section A (R&D) as applicable. ¹
• Select the PSC based on the predominant product or service in the action; multiple tasks may exist, but the PSC should reflect the main outcome. ¹
• Specific inclusions/exclusions beyond the published descriptor for B505: Not specified by official sources. ²

FPDS/SAM reporting notes

• PSCs, including B505, are reported in FPDS as data element 8A (“Product or Service Code”), serving as the authoritative “what was bought” indicator for contract actions. ¹
• SAM.gov contracting search supports PSC filtering, allowing discovery of opportunities and awards by PSC in addition to NAICS. ³

Frequently asked questions

• What does PSC B505 mean?
  • It designates “Special Studies/Analysis – Cost Benefit” under Category B (non-R&D services). Use it when the principal deliverable is an analysis comparing costs and benefits, not program execution, operations, or production activities. ¹
• When should B505 be used instead of B507 or B513?
  • Choose B505 when cost-benefit analysis is the predominant output. Use B507 when broader economic analyses are central, and B513 for feasibility (non-construction) studies when that determination is the main focus. ¹
• Does B505 map to a specific NAICS code?
  • Not specified by official sources. The PSC Manual defines PSC scope and usage but does not prescribe one-to-one NAICS mappings; agencies select NAICS based on the principal nature of the services acquired. ²
• Is B505 considered research and development (R&D)?
  • No. Category B is labeled “Special Studies/Analysis, Not R&D.” If the effort’s primary purpose is R&D, select the appropriate Section A R&D PSC instead. ¹
• Is PSC B505 searchable in SAM.gov?
  • Yes. SAM.gov opportunity and award search provides Product or Service Information filters that include PSC selection, enabling users to search and refine by PSC codes. ³

Useful resources

• Acquisition.gov — PSC Manual landing page (current PSC resources and files). ²
• Acquisition.gov — PSC Manual, April 2025 (current edition with Category B/B5 listings). ¹
• SAM.gov — Contract Data overview (PSC and NAICS available as search parameters). ³

References

1. Acquisition.gov, “PSC 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” https://www.acquisition.gov/psc-manual
3. SAM.gov, “Contract Data — Product or Service Information filters (NAICS and PSC selections)” https://sam.gov/content/contract-data