PSC B520

Overview

The Product Service Code (PSC) is a government-wide taxonomy used to classify what the federal government buys so that spending can be tracked, analyzed, and reported consistently across procurement systems. PSCs are reported on contract actions in the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) and are maintained by GSA through the PSC Manual, which provides official definitions and coding guidance for agencies and contractors. ¹

PSC B520 is defined as “Special Studies/Analysis – Grazing/Range.” Agencies use it when the principal requirement is analytical work about grazing or rangeland conditions—such as assessments, studies, or evaluations—rather than implementation or field treatments. It sits within Category B (Special Studies/Analysis, not R&D) and is often applied to work informing grazing permits, management plans, or program decisions. ¹

What this PSC covers

• Rangeland condition and trend assessments using standardized indicators and field observations to describe site health. ⁵
• Carrying capacity and stocking-rate analyses, utilization studies, and related forage production evaluations for grazing lands. ³
• Allotment- or landscape-scale studies that inform grazing permits, management plans, and associated NEPA analyses. ⁷
• Soil stability, erosion susceptibility, and watershed function analyses for rangeland settings. ⁴
• Vegetation composition, ecological site descriptions, and habitat condition evaluations pertinent to grazing management. ³
• Riparian and streambank condition assessments and canopy/ground-cover evaluations linked to grazing effects. ⁶

Related NAICS and PSC codes

The PSC Manual lists adjacent codes that agencies may use when the work shifts from analysis to implementation or to related study areas. ¹

Type	Code	Descriptor
PSC	B525	Special Studies/Analysis – Natural Resource
PSC	B532	Special Studies/Analysis – Soil
PSC	B533	Special Studies/Analysis – Water Quality
PSC	F007	Natural Resources/Conservation – Range Seeding (Ground Equipment)

Boundary with natural resources management services

• Use B520 when the requirement is principally analytical (studies, assessments, evaluations). Use F‑series natural resources management codes such as F006 Land Treatment Practices or F007 Range Seeding when the requirement is to perform field treatments or improvements. ¹
• Environmental assessments exist under both B510 and F‑series (e.g., F110). Selection depends on the predominant service described in the requirement. Not specified by official sources. ²

FPDS coding tips (applicable to B520)

• Enter the PSC in FPDS data element 8A and choose the code based on the predominant product or service in the action; apply the same predominance rule when a mix of activities is present. ¹
• Environmental attributes are reported in FPDS element 8L; services may have applicable attributes depending on the work (e.g., building-related “green” services), but selection must reflect the requirement. ¹

Frequently asked questions

• What does PSC B520 cover?
  B520 covers special studies and analyses concerning grazing or rangeland topics, such as rangeland condition, carrying capacity, utilization, or management implications. It is a non-R&D analysis code within Category B of the PSC Manual and is applied when analysis—not implementation—is the principal need. ¹

• How is B520 different from F‑series natural resources codes?
  B520 is used for analytical work (studies, assessments, evaluations). F‑series codes like F006 and F007 are for on-the-ground treatments or improvements (e.g., land treatment, range seeding). Choose the code that reflects the predominant service in the requirement. ¹

• Are specific methodologies or deliverables mandated for B520?
  Not specified by official sources. The PSC Manual defines code scope and FPDS reporting expectations, but it does not prescribe particular technical methods, sampling protocols, or deliverable formats for B520; agencies set method and deliverable details in the solicitation or statement of work. ²

• Is B520 an R&D code?
  No. Category B is “Special Studies/Analysis, Not R&D.” Natural resources-related R&D is coded under the AH-series R&D PSCs instead. Use B520 for non-R&D analytical services focused on grazing and rangeland topics. ¹

• What kinds of analyses often align with B520 tasking?
  Typical tasks include rangeland health indicator assessments, carrying-capacity and stocking-rate analysis, utilization and forage production studies, erosion risk evaluations, and vegetation composition/ecological site assessments used to inform grazing management decisions or NEPA analyses on permits or plans. ³

Useful resources

• G2X — PSC B520: https://app.g2xchange.com/psc/B520
• G2X — PSC B525: https://app.g2xchange.com/psc/B525
• G2X — PSC F006: https://app.g2xchange.com/psc/F006
• Acquisition.gov — PSC Manual (April 2025, PDF): https://www.acquisition.gov/content/psc-manual-april-2025.pdf
• Acquisition.gov — PSC Manual landing page: https://www.acquisition.gov/psc-manual

References

1. Acquisition.gov, Product and Service Codes (PSC) Manual, April 2025 (PDF). https://www.acquisition.gov/content/psc-manual-april-2025.pdf
2. Acquisition.gov, Product and Service Code Manual (landing page). https://www.acquisition.gov/psc-manual
3. USDA NRCS, National Range and Pasture Handbook. https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/conservation-basics/natural-resource-concerns/animals/livestock/national-range-and-pasture-handbook
4. USDA NRCS, CEAP — Grazing Lands Assessments. https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/ceap/grazing-lands
5. BLM Technical Reference 1734-9, Describing Indicators of Rangeland Health. https://www.blm.gov/noc/blm-library/technical-reference/describing-indicators-rangeland-health
6. BLM, Rangeland Health program overview. https://www.blm.gov/programs/natural-resources/rangelands-and-grazing/rangeland-health
7. BLM, Reindeer Grazing — permitting and NEPA analysis. https://www.blm.gov/programs/natural-resources/rangelands-and-grazing/reindeer-grazing