PSC B540

Overview

The Product and Service Code (PSC) system is a governmentwide taxonomy used to classify goods and services in federal procurement so spending can be tracked, analyzed, and reported consistently. PSCs are reported in FPDS (and referenced across federal acquisition systems) and maintained through the official PSC Manual issued by GSA. ¹

Within this structure, PSC B540 is defined in Category B5 (Special Studies/Analysis, not R&D) as “Special Studies/Analysis – Building Technology.” It is used when the principal requirement is analytical or evaluative work about building technologies rather than architect-engineer design, construction, or research and development. ¹

See also on G2X:

• G2X — PSC B540 overview
• G2X — PSC B544 — Special Studies/Analysis – Technology
• G2X — PSC C223 — A&E General: Mechanical Systems

What this PSC covers

• Non-R&D special studies and analyses focused on building technologies, per Category B scope. ¹
• Analytical assessments of building technology options where no architect-engineer design or construction is being procured. ¹
• Evaluation, documentation, and reporting activities about building systems and technologies as the predominant service. ¹
• Studies to inform decisions about building technology policies, programs, or operations (analytical services only). ¹
• Data collection and analysis regarding building technology performance or effectiveness (non-R&D). ¹
• Cost, benefits, or impact analyses concerning building technologies when the requirement is analysis, not design. ¹

Related NAICS and PSC codes

Selected PSCs from the same Special Studies/Analysis family and closely adjacent A&E engineering disciplines are shown below. Descriptors reflect the PSC Manual. ¹

Type	Code	Descriptor
PSC	B544	Special Studies/Analysis – Technology
PSC	B543	Special Studies/Analysis – Energy
PSC	C222	A&E General: Electrical Systems
PSC	C223	A&E General: Mechanical Systems

Coding guidance and boundary notes

• Category B codes cover “special studies/analysis, not R&D.” Use B540 when the predominant requirement is analysis related to building technology; do not use Category C A&E design or Category Y/Z construction/alteration codes for design or build work. ¹
• The PSC selected in FPDS should reflect the predominant product or service being purchased for the action; choose B540 only when analytical services about building technology predominate. ¹
• Environmental attributes (e.g., “environmentally preferable”) are reported separately in FPDS data element 8L; this attribute reporting can apply to building-related services but does not change the underlying PSC selection. ¹
• Agencies may use the PSC Selection Tool to aid code selection; however, the contracting office remains responsible for ensuring the PSC matches the requirement. ³

Frequently asked questions

• What does PSC B540 mean?
  It is the code for “Special Studies/Analysis – Building Technology” under Category B5, which covers non-R&D analytical services. Use it when the requirement is analytical work about building technologies, not architect-engineer design, construction, or R&D. ¹

• Is B540 considered research and development?
  No. Category B is explicitly “Special Studies/Analysis, Not R&D.” R&D activities use Category A codes, while B540 captures non-R&D analytical services focused on building technologies. ¹

• When should B540 be used instead of A&E codes like C222 or C223?
  Use B540 when the predominant requirement is analysis about building technology. Use Category C A&E codes when procuring design, engineering, or related professional services rather than studies/analysis. ¹

• Is there an official NAICS crosswalk for B540?
  Not specified by official sources. ²

• How do agencies select the correct PSC for FPDS reporting?
  Agencies should choose the PSC that best matches the predominant requirement and may leverage the PSC Selection Tool to inform decisions; the contracting office is responsible for final selection. ³

Useful resources

• G2X — PSC B540 overview
• Product and Service Codes Manual (April 2025 edition). ¹
• PSC Manual document library (current and archived editions). ²
• GSA guidance: reporting contract actions in FPDS and using the PSC Selection Tool. ³
• DPCAP PSC Selection Tool. ⁴

References

1. Product and Service Code Manual (April 2025), Acquisition.gov (PDF). https://www.acquisition.gov/sites/default/files/manual/PSC%20Manual%20April%202025.pdf
2. Product and Service Code Manual — document library (All), Acquisition.gov. https://www.acquisition.gov/psc-manual/all
3. Report contract actions in the Federal Procurement Data System (PSC Tool reference), GSA.gov. https://www.gsa.gov/node/80900
4. DPCAP Product Service Code Selection Tool, psctool.us. https://psctool.us/