PSC B516

Overview

The U.S. government uses Product Service Codes (PSCs) to consistently identify the goods and services purchased across systems like FPDS and SAM, supporting classification, reporting, and spend analysis. PSCs are governed through the PSC Manual maintained by GSA, which provides structure, definitions, and usage guidance for agencies and contracting professionals. ¹

PSC B516 is defined in the PSC Manual under Service Codes, Category B (Special Studies/Analysis, Not R&D), as “Special Studies/Analysis – Animal/Fisheries.” It is applied when the predominant requirement is non-R&D analytical work focused on animals or fisheries, distinct from adjacent PSCs such as environmental assessments or wildlife studies. ¹

See also on G2X:

• G2X — PSC B516 overview: https://app.g2xchange.com/psc/B516
• Related: B534 — Special Studies/Analysis – Wildlife
• Related: B509 — Special Studies/Analysis – Endangered Species: Plant/Animal

What this PSC covers

• Animal-focused special studies and analysis services (non-R&D) as defined under Service Codes, Category B. ¹
• Fisheries-focused special studies and analysis services (non-R&D) under the same category. ¹
• Analytical efforts where “special studies/analysis” is the predominant service rather than construction, A/E, or operations. ¹
• Work distinguished from environmental assessments, which are separately coded under B510. ¹
• Work distinct from general “natural resource” studies, which are covered by B525. ¹
• Work distinct from wildlife-specific studies categorized under B534. ¹
• Classification and reporting of these services in FPDS using the PSC data element for the predominant service. ¹

Related NAICS and PSC codes

Type	Code	Descriptor
PSC	B510	Special Studies/Analysis – Environmental Assessments. 1
PSC	B525	Special Studies/Analysis – Natural Resource. 1
PSC	B526	Special Studies/Analysis – Oceanological. 1
PSC	B534	Special Studies/Analysis – Wildlife. 1

Using B516 versus similar PSCs

• Boundary with B510: Environmental assessments (e.g., NEPA-type assessments) are categorized under B510, not B516. Select the PSC based on the predominant service. ¹
• Boundary with B534: Wildlife-centric studies fall under B534. Use B516 when the focus is animals/fisheries more broadly rather than wildlife management studies per se. ¹
• Boundary with B525: Broad natural resource analyses are coded B525. Choose B516 when the requirement is specifically animal or fisheries analysis. ¹
• R&D distinction: Category B “Special Studies/Analysis” is explicitly “Not R&D”; R&D services are organized separately in Section A of the PSC Manual. ¹

FPDS/SAM coding notes

• PSC field: Agencies report the Product or Service Code in FPDS data element 8A; choose the code that reflects the action’s predominant service. ²
• Environmental attributes: When applicable, environmental attributes are reported in FPDS data element 8L; applicability depends on the acquisition’s objectives. ²
• Code governance: The PSC Manual is the authoritative source for current codes, status, and definitions used by acquisition systems such as FPDS and SAM. ¹

Frequently asked questions

• What does PSC B516 cover?
  B516 is a service PSC for “Special Studies/Analysis – Animal/Fisheries.” It applies to non-R&D analytical work centered on animals or fisheries, such as stock assessments, population modeling, or health surveillance, when that is the predominant service acquired. Environmental assessments map to B510, and wildlife management studies map to B534. ¹

• How is B516 different from B534 or B509?
  B534 covers wildlife-specific studies, and B509 covers endangered species studies. Use B516 when the requirement centers on animal or fisheries analysis not better described by those codes, especially where the scope is broader than wildlife management or is not limited to protected species. ¹

• Is B516 considered research and development?
  No. Category B “Special Studies/Analysis” is designated “Not R&D.” If the requirement is for research and development, use an R&D PSC from Section A of the PSC Manual that aligns with the scientific objective, rather than a Category B service code like B516. ¹

• When a requirement mixes fisheries analysis and environmental assessment tasks, which PSC should be reported?
  Code to the predominant service on the action. If environmental assessment work predominates, use B510. If animal/fisheries analysis is predominant, use B516. Define the primary objective in the solicitation to support consistent downstream reporting. ¹

• Are deliverables or methods for B516 specified?
  Not specified by official sources. Agencies typically define deliverables in the performance work statement (e.g., reports, models, datasets) consistent with analytical objectives, but the PSC Manual does not prescribe formats or methods. Use clear acceptance criteria to ensure alignment with this PSC’s service scope. ¹

Useful resources

• G2X — PSC B516: https://app.g2xchange.com/psc/B516
• PSC Manual (April 2025 edition), current authoritative listing and guidance. ¹
• FPDS-NG Data Element Dictionary (v1.5), element definitions including PSC (8A) and Environmental Attributes (8L). ²

References

1. Acquisition.gov — Product and Service Code (PSC) Manual, April 2025 (PDF): https://www.acquisition.gov/sites/default/files/manual/PSC%20Manual%20April%202025.pdf
2. FPDS-NG Data Element Dictionary v1.5 (PDF): https://www.fpds.gov/downloads/Version_1.5_specs/FPDSNG_DataDictionary_V1.5.pdf