PSC B528

Overview

The Product Service Code (PSC) system is a governmentwide taxonomy that classifies what the U.S. government buys, enabling consistent reporting in systems such as FPDS and SAM.gov and maintained through the PSC Manual on Acquisition.gov. Agencies select a PSC to describe the predominant product or service in each recorded contract action. ¹

Within Category B (Special Studies/Analysis, not R&D), PSC B528 identifies “Special Studies/Analysis – Regulatory.” It is used to report non‑R&D analytical work focused on regulatory subject matter; the PSC Manual lists the descriptor but does not provide additional includes/excludes or scope notes. ²

See also on G2X:

• G2X — PSC B528 overview: https://app.g2xchange.com/psc/B528
• G2X — PSC B522 (Special Studies/Analysis – Legal): https://app.g2xchange.com/psc/B522
• G2X — PSC B554 (Special Studies/Analysis – Acquisition Policy/Procedures): https://app.g2xchange.com/psc/B554

What this PSC covers

• Non‑R&D special studies and analyses with a regulatory focus under Category B5. ²
• Analytic support related to regulations, rulemaking, or oversight. Not specified by official sources ²
• Assessments concerning existing or proposed regulatory frameworks. Not specified by official sources ²
• Analyses relating to regulatory programs, compliance, or enforcement activities. Not specified by official sources ²
• Evaluation of regulatory options or impacts. Not specified by official sources ²
• Development of reports or findings to inform regulatory decision-making. Not specified by official sources ²

Related NAICS and PSC codes

Type	Code	Descriptor
PSC	B522	Special Studies/Analysis – Legal
PSC	B554	Special Studies/Analysis – Acquisition Policy/Procedures
PSC	B510	Special Studies/Analysis – Environmental Assessments
PSC	B548	Special Studies/Analysis – Trade Issue

Source: PSC Manual April 2025. ²

Coding guidance and reporting notes

• Select PSC B528 when regulatory analysis is the predominant service; PSC selection in FPDS is based on what was primarily bought for the action. ²
• Category B applies to “Special Studies/Analysis, Not R&D”; use R&D PSCs instead only when work meets formal R&D definitions in Section A. ²
• Environmental attributes (FPDS element 8L) may still apply to service acquisitions; agencies record applicable attributes alongside the PSC when appropriate. ²

Frequently asked questions

• What does PSC B528 signify in federal reporting?
  It denotes non‑R&D “Special Studies/Analysis – Regulatory” and is used to record what was bought in FPDS for applicable actions. The PSC Manual lists the descriptor but provides no additional scope notes, examples, or exclusions for this specific code. ²

• How is B528 different from B522 or B554?
  Each code has a distinct descriptor (Regulatory vs. Legal vs. Acquisition Policy/Procedures). Agencies select the code that best matches the predominant service being acquired; the PSC Manual does not publish formal includes/excludes for these B5-series codes. ²

• Are there official examples or exclusions for B528?
  Not specified by official sources. The PSC Manual provides only the title “Special Studies/Analysis – Regulatory” for this code and does not include example tasks, inclusions, or exclusions under B528. ²

• Does B528 map to a specific NAICS code?
  Not specified by official sources. The PSC Manual does not establish one‑to‑one NAICS mappings; contracting officers determine NAICS separately based on the principal purpose of the acquisition in accordance with FAR and agency policy. ¹

Useful resources

• G2X — PSC B528 overview: https://app.g2xchange.com/psc/B528
• Acquisition.gov — Product and Service Code Manual (landing page). ¹
• Acquisition.gov — PSC Manual April 2025 (PDF), includes Category B5 listing for B528. ²
• Acquisition.gov — PSC Manual archives and prior editions. ³

References

1. Acquisition.gov — Product and Service Code Manual landing page: https://www.acquisition.gov/psc-manual
2. Acquisition.gov — PSC Manual April 2025 (PDF): https://www.acquisition.gov/sites/default/files/manual/PSC%20Manual%20April%202025.pdf
3. Acquisition.gov — PSC Manual archives: https://www.acquisition.gov/psc-manual/archives