PSC C1FF

Overview

The Product Service Code (PSC) system classifies the goods and services the U.S. federal government buys so spending can be tracked, analyzed, and reported across FPDS/SAM. The code set is maintained through the PSC Manual on Acquisition.gov and is used on each reported contract action to indicate what was purchased. ¹

PSC C1FF identifies architect-and-engineer (A‑E) services for construction related to penal facilities. Within Category C1 (Architect and Engineering – Construction), C1FF is the facility-type tag applied when the predominant service is licensed A‑E work supporting the construction of prisons, detention centers, or other penal facilities. Agencies use C1FF on contract actions when A‑E services are the principal purpose. ²

What this PSC covers

• Professional A‑E services performed or approved by licensed architects/engineers when tied to the construction of penal facilities. ³
• A‑E services associated with planning, development, design, and construction of real property for penal facilities. ³
• Incidental professional A‑E services logically performed by A‑E firms (for example, studies, surveying/mapping, geotechnical, cost estimating, value engineering, and construction‑phase services) when scoped for penal facility construction. ³
• Use when the predominant requirement is A‑E services; the PSC is recorded in FPDS/SAM to reflect what was bought. ²
• Facility classification under Category C1; the specific facility type here is “Penal Facilities.” ²
• Excludes the actual construction, maintenance, or repair/alteration work itself, which are coded under related Y and Z series facility codes. ²

Related NAICS and PSC codes

Coding boundary notes

Use PSC C1FF when the principal purpose is A‑E services for penal facility construction. Use PSC Y1FF for construction, PSC Z1FF for maintenance, and PSC Z2FF for repair/alteration. Select the PSC based on the predominant service for the action. ²

Architect‑engineer procurement considerations

A‑E services—including facility design and related professional services—are acquired under FAR Subpart 36.6 using qualifications‑based selection (Brooks Act). Requirements are publicly announced and firms are selected on competence and qualifications, then negotiated for a fair and reasonable price. ⁴

Frequently asked questions

• What does PSC C1FF mean?
  C1FF denotes architect‑and‑engineering services for construction related to penal facilities under Category C1. Agencies assign it when licensed A‑E services are the predominant purpose of the action supporting prisons, detention centers, or similar penal facilities. ²

• When should C1FF be used instead of Y1FF, Z1FF, or Z2FF?
  Use C1FF for A‑E services. Use Y1FF for construction, Z1FF for maintenance, and Z2FF for repair or alteration of penal facilities. Choose the PSC based on the predominant work on the action. ²

• How are A‑E services under C1FF procured?
  FAR Subpart 36.6 applies. Agencies publicly announce requirements and select firms based on demonstrated competence and qualifications (qualifications‑based selection) before negotiating price, consistent with the Brooks Act process for architect‑engineer services. ⁴

• Which NAICS codes pair with C1FF?
  Not specified by official sources. Agencies select NAICS based on the principal purpose of the requirement; the PSC Manual does not prescribe NAICS pairings for specific PSCs. ¹

• How is C1FF reported in FPDS/SAM?
  PSCs are entered in FPDS data element 8A and reflect the predominant product or service acquired on each action, enabling governmentwide tracking and reporting of spending by product/service category. ²

Useful resources

• G2X — PSC C1FF overview: https://app.g2xchange.com/psc/C1FF
• Product and Service Code Manual landing page (current/archives): https://www.acquisition.gov/psc-manual ¹
• PSC Manual (April 2025 edition, facility code listings and FPDS guidance): https://www.acquisition.gov/sites/default/files/manual/PSC%20Manual%20April%202025.pdf ²
• FAR 2.101 Definitions (architect‑engineer services): https://origin-www.acquisition.gov/far/2.101 ³
• FAR Subpart 36.6 Architect‑Engineer Services: https://www.acquisition.gov/far/subpart-36.6 ⁴

References

1. https://www.acquisition.gov/psc-manual
2. https://www.acquisition.gov/sites/default/files/manual/PSC%20Manual%20April%202025.pdf
3. https://origin-www.acquisition.gov/far/2.101
4. https://www.acquisition.gov/far/subpart-36.6