PSC B526

Overview

The Product Service Code system classifies the products, services, and research the U.S. federal government buys so agencies can consistently record and analyze contract actions in FPDS and related systems. The General Services Administration maintains the PSC structure and publishes the PSC Manual that governs use and updates. ¹

PSC B526 identifies Special Studies/Analysis — Oceanological within Category B (Special Studies/Analysis, not R&D). It is used when the predominant purpose of the action is non-R&D analytical work about oceanic and marine environments, and is selected at the contract-action level in FPDS per PSC Manual guidance. ¹

See also on G2X:

• PSC B533 Special Studies/Analysis — Water Quality
• PSC B516 Special Studies/Analysis — Animal/Fisheries

What this PSC covers

• Non-R&D special studies and analyses focused on ocean science and marine environments. ¹
• Efforts categorized under “Special Studies/Analysis” (Category B5) rather than research and development (Section A). ¹
• Analytical activities such as assessments, surveys, and evaluations related to oceanological subject matter, excluding experimental R&D. ¹
• Contract actions where oceanological analysis is the predominant service, even if incidental supplies or other services are included. ¹
• FPDS reporting of the purchased service using PSC code field 8A; selection follows the PSC Manual’s “predominant product or service” rule. ¹
• Specific subtopics and methodologies are not enumerated beyond the descriptor. Not specified by official sources ¹.

Related NAICS and PSC codes

Type	Code	Descriptor
PSC	B533	Special Studies/Analysis — Water Quality
PSC	B516	Special Studies/Analysis — Animal/Fisheries
PSC	B517	Special Studies/Analysis — Geological
PSC	B518	Special Studies/Analysis — Geophysical

Related codes are adjacent entries in Category B5 of the PSC Manual. ¹

Coding guidance and boundaries

• Distinguish from R&D: when the principal purpose is to advance scientific knowledge or develop/improve a product or service, use an R&D PSC from Section A consistent with FAR Part 35 definitions (e.g., applied research, development) rather than B526. ²
• Apply the “predominant service” rule: if a contract includes multiple elements, select the PSC that best represents the primary service; enter the PSC in FPDS data element 8A. ¹
• Environmental attributes in FPDS: where applicable, agencies may report environmental attributes via FPDS element 8L; applicability to services depends on the contract’s specifics. ¹

Frequently asked questions

• What work belongs under PSC B526? Non-R&D studies and analyses related to ocean and marine environments that do not constitute R&D under FAR Part 35. The PSC Manual places B526 within Category B5 Special Studies/Analysis and instructs coding based on the predominant service purchased. ¹

• When should PSC B526 not be used? Do not use B526 when the principal purpose is research or development per FAR 35.001; select an appropriate Section A R&D PSC instead. If the primary focus is water quality or fisheries rather than broader oceanology, assess codes such as B533 or B516. ²

• Is there an official NAICS crosswalk for PSC B526? Not specified by official sources. The PSC Manual defines codes and usage but does not provide an authoritative PSC-to-NAICS mapping for B526. Agencies should rely on the PSC definition for service characterization and select NAICS per acquisition procedures. ¹

• How is PSC B526 recorded in federal systems? Enter the PSC in FPDS data element 8A for each reported contract action. The PSC Manual directs agencies to select the PSC that represents the predominant service being purchased for that action and to follow FPDS data element conventions. ¹

• Are environmental attributes reported for services under B526? The PSC Manual allows reporting of environmental attributes in FPDS element 8L. For service acquisitions, applicability depends on the contract’s specifics; the manual provides high-level guidance rather than prescriptive criteria or mandatory tags for B5 services. ¹

Useful resources

• G2X — PSC B526 overview
• PSC Manual (April 2025), governing definitions and FPDS reporting instructions. ¹
• PSC April 2025 master list (xlsx), current authoritative list of PSC codes. ³
• Product and Service Code Manual library on Acquisition.gov (current and archived editions). ⁴

References

1. General Services Administration, Product and Service Codes (PSC) Manual, April 2025 (PDF). https://www.acquisition.gov/sites/default/files/manual/PSC%20Manual%20April%202025.pdf
2. FAR 35.001 Definitions; FAR Part 35 — Research and Development Contracting. https://www.acquisition.gov/far/35.001
3. PSC April 2025.xlsx (current PSC list). https://www.acquisition.gov/content/psc-april-2025.xlsx
4. Product and Service Code Manual library (current and archives). https://www.acquisition.gov/psc-manual/all