PSC C1AA

Overview

The Product Service Code (PSC) is a governmentwide classification used to identify the specific products and services the U.S. government acquires. PSCs appear in public synopses posted to the Governmentwide Point of Entry (SAM.gov) and are captured as a required data element alongside other award information; the taxonomy is maintained via the PSC Manual. ³
PSC C1AA denotes “Architect and Engineering – Construction: Office Buildings,” a Category C1 service code used when the predominant effort is architect-engineer (A/E) services in support of constructing office building facilities. Category C includes A/E services, and Category C1 identifies A/E services tied to construction. ¹

What this PSC covers

• A/E services associated with the construction of office buildings where professional design/engineering is the predominant effort. ¹
• Use on contract actions that procure design or construction-phase A/E services for new office facilities, rather than the physical build itself. ¹
• Work aligned to Category C (Architect and Engineering Services) under the PSC taxonomy. ¹
• Office-building projects requiring professional disciplines such as architecture and engineering in support of construction. ¹
• Coding based on predominant service when multiple facility types or activities are present within one action. ¹
• Not the correct code for purchasing, leasing, or physically constructing office buildings (see adjacent facility codes below). ¹

Related NAICS and PSC codes

Adjacent code boundaries for office‑facility work

• Physical construction vs. A/E services: select Y1AA for the construction itself; select C1AA when the buy is architect-engineer services supporting that construction. ¹
• Maintenance and operations: use Z1AA for maintenance and M1AA for operation of office buildings. ¹
• Repair/alteration projects: code physical repair or alteration of office buildings under Z2AA; A/E services for general restoration may fall under C1QA (Restoration of Real Property). ¹
• Purchase and lease: use E1AA for purchase of office buildings and X1AA for lease/rental of office buildings. ¹
• Other administrative facilities: for A/E-construction work on non-office administrative buildings, consider C1AZ. ¹

FPDS reporting notes for A/E construction

• PSC is the “what was bought” element recorded in FPDS (data element 8A); code selection is based on the predominant product or service in the action. ¹
• Environmental attributes (FPDS element 8L) may be reported as applicable to services; the PSC Manual provides definitions and examples for energy-efficient, biobased, and environmentally preferable reporting. ¹

Frequently asked questions

• What does PSC C1AA represent?
  PSC C1AA identifies architect-engineer services in support of constructing office buildings, within Category C1 (A/E – Construction). It is distinct from codes used for the physical build, purchase, lease, or maintenance of office facilities. ¹

• When should C1AA be used instead of Y1AA?
  Use C1AA when the contract’s predominant effort is professional A/E services supporting construction; use Y1AA when the action is for the physical construction of the office building. ¹

• How are PSCs surfaced in federal systems?
  PSCs are required data elements in synopses posted to the Governmentwide Point of Entry (SAM.gov) and are captured for contract reporting. The PSC structure and definitions are maintained and published through the PSC Manual. ³

• Does C1AA cover renovations or tenant improvements?
  Physical repair or alteration work is generally coded under Z2AA. For A/E services connected to general restoration, C1QA may apply per the PSC Manual descriptors. ¹

• Which NAICS codes map to C1AA?
  Not specified by official sources. ²

Useful resources

• G2X — PSC C1AA overview: https://app.g2xchange.com/psc/C1AA
• Product and Service Codes (PSC) Manual — April 2025 edition. ¹
• Product and Service Code Manual — document library and index. ²
• FAR 5.207 — Synopses content (GPE/SAM.gov data elements). ³

References

1. Acquisition.gov — PSC Manual April 2025 (PDF), U.S. GSA: https://www.acquisition.gov/content/psc-manual-april-2025.pdf
2. Acquisition.gov — Product and Service Code Manual (index): https://www.acquisition.gov/psc-manual
3. FAR 5.207, Preparation and transmittal of synopses (GPE/SAM.gov data elements): https://www.acquisition.gov/far/5.207