PSC B519

Overview

The Product Service Code (PSC) is a governmentwide taxonomy that classifies the products and services the U.S. federal government buys, enabling consistent reporting, analysis, and transparency across procurement systems. PSCs are maintained through the PSC Manual and are used for contract action reporting and categorization across systems such as FPDS and SAM.gov. ¹

PSC B519 is a Service PSC under Category B (Special Studies/Analysis, not R&D). It designates geotechnical special studies and analyses and is used to code contract actions where the predominant requirement is geotechnical analysis rather than research and development or product supply. Typical deliverables include assessments, modeling, and reporting rather than construction or architect-engineer services. ²

See also on G2X:

• G2X — PSC B519 overview: https://app.g2xchange.com/psc/B519
• G2X — PSC B517 (Special Studies/Analysis — Geological): https://app.g2xchange.com/psc/B517
• G2X — PSC B530 (Special Studies/Analysis — Seismological): https://app.g2xchange.com/psc/B530

What this PSC covers

• Non-R&D geotechnical special studies and analyses (Category B5, Special Studies/Analysis). ²
• Service acquisitions where the primary deliverable is geotechnical analysis and reporting (not research and development). ²
• Coding of contract actions in FPDS using the Product or Service Code field (element 8A) to reflect geotechnical study services. ³
• Use of PSC alongside NAICS in federal opportunity and award data models (e.g., SAM.gov Opportunity Management API). ⁴
• A Service PSC (not a product code) situated within Section B (Special Studies/Analysis) of the PSC Manual. ²
• Selection guided by the PSC Manual’s predominant requirement principle; architect-engineer and construction services are categorized separately. ²

Related NAICS and PSC codes

Per the PSC Manual (April 2025), neighboring Special Studies/Analysis PSCs that are often considered alongside geotechnical are listed below. ²

Type	Code	Descriptor
PSC	B517	Special Studies/Analysis — Geological
PSC	B518	Special Studies/Analysis — Geophysical
PSC	B530	Special Studies/Analysis — Seismological
PSC	B532	Special Studies/Analysis — Soil

Coding notes for B519

• Classification: B519 is a Service PSC under Category B5 (Special Studies/Analysis, not R&D). ²
• FPDS element: PSCs are reported in FPDS data element 8A; choose the code that best identifies the product or service procured, consistent with the predominant requirement. ³
• Environmental and sustainability attributes are recorded separately in FPDS and are not intrinsic to PSC selection. ³
• SAM.gov usage: SAM.gov data schemas and public APIs expose PSC fields for opportunities, reflecting PSC use beyond FPDS. ⁴

Frequently asked questions

• What does PSC B519 cover?
  B519 identifies geotechnical special studies and analyses as a service (non-R&D) under Category B5 of the PSC Manual. It should be selected when geotechnical analysis and reporting are the predominant requirements of the acquisition, as opposed to products, construction, or architect-engineer services. ²

• Is B519 considered research and development?
  No. Category B codes are “Special Studies/Analysis, Not R&D.” Research and development activities are categorized separately under Category A, and buyers should not use B519 to code R&D geotechnical efforts. ²

• How is B519 different from architect-engineer geotechnical services?
  The PSC Manual provides separate categories for architect-engineer and construction services; use B519 only when the special study/analysis is the predominant requirement. Specific boundary rules between B519 and A-E services are not detailed. Not specified by official sources ².

• Where is B519 captured during contract reporting?
  In FPDS, PSCs are recorded in element 8A (Product or Service Code). Contracting officers are instructed to enter the code that best identifies the product or service being purchased for the action or modification reported. ³

• Is there an official NAICS mapping for B519?
  Not specified by official sources ¹.

Useful resources

• G2X — PSC B519
• Product and Service Code Manual (April 2025, PDF). ²
• Product and Service Code Manual — index and downloads. ¹
• FPDS-NG Data Dictionary — Element 8A (Product or Service Code). ³
• GSA Open Technology — SAM.gov PSC Public API. ⁵

References

1. Product and Service Code Manual — Acquisition.gov index page: https://www.acquisition.gov/psc-manual
2. PSC Manual April 2025 (PDF): https://www.acquisition.gov/content/psc-manual-april-2025.pdf
3. FPDS-NG Data Dictionary — V1.4: https://www.fpds.gov/wiki/index.php/V1.4_FPDS-NG_Data_Dictionary
4. GSA Open Technology — SAM.gov Opportunity Management API: https://open.gsa.gov/api/opportunities-api/
5. GSA Open Technology — SAM.gov PSC Public API: https://open.gsa.gov/api/PSC-Public-API/