PSC C1KB

Overview

The U.S. government uses the Product Service Code (PSC) system to classify what is being purchased so spending can be tracked, analyzed, and reported consistently across procurement systems. PSCs are maintained in the PSC Manual and recorded in the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) for each contract action. ¹

PSC C1KB is defined as “Architect and Engineering – Construction: Canals.” It is used when the predominant requirement is architect‑engineer (A‑E) services tied to canal construction projects, and should be coded in FPDS under the “Product or Service Code” data element per PSC Manual guidance. ¹

See also on G2X:

• G2X — PSC C1KB
• G2X — PSC Y1KB
• G2X — PSC Z1KB

What this PSC covers

• Professional A‑E services associated with the planning, development, and design of canal construction projects. ³
• Incidental services typically performed by A‑E firms—such as studies, investigations, value engineering, and preparation of plans and specifications—when performed for canal work. ³
• Surveying and mapping, soils engineering, tests, and evaluations in support of canal construction. ³
• Construction‑phase A‑E support, including consultations, drawing reviews, and preparation of operating and maintenance manuals related to canal projects. ³
• Program and project management services that A‑E firms may logically perform for canal construction efforts. ³
• Selection of the PSC in FPDS should be based on the predominant service when multiple services are present on an action. ¹

Related NAICS and PSC codes

Coding adjacent PSCs: quick distinctions

• Use C1KB when the requirement is A‑E services tied to canal construction (e.g., design, studies, construction‑phase A‑E support). ¹
• Use Y1KB when the requirement is the physical construction of canals. ¹
• Use Z1KB for maintenance of existing canals and Z2KB for repair or alteration. ¹

Frequently asked questions

• What does PSC C1KB represent in federal reporting?
  PSC C1KB is the PSC for Architect and Engineering – Construction services specific to canals, listed under Category C1 in the PSC Manual’s service codes. Agencies select it when A‑E services for canal construction are the predominant requirement. ¹

• When should C1KB be used instead of Y1KB or Z1KB/Z2KB?
  Use C1KB for A‑E services; use Y1KB for canal construction; use Z1KB for maintenance and Z2KB for repair or alteration. Each resides in different PSC families (C, Y, Z). ¹

• What acquisition procedures typically apply to C1KB work?
  Architect‑engineer services are generally procured under FAR Subpart 36.6 (qualifications‑based selection), which requires public announcement and selection based on demonstrated competence and qualifications at fair and reasonable prices. ⁴

• What activities can be included under A‑E services for canal projects coded C1KB?
  A‑E services include professional design services and incidental services such as studies, investigations, surveying and mapping, tests, value engineering, construction‑phase services, and preparation of plans/specifications and O&M manuals. ³

• Is there an official NAICS crosswalk for C1KB?
  Not specified by official sources ². Agencies typically align NAICS at the solicitation level based on the principal purpose of the work, but no authoritative crosswalk is published for this PSC.

• How are environmental attributes reported for actions using C1KB?
  Environmental attributes are recorded in FPDS (e.g., as defined in the FPDS‑NG Data Dictionary). The PSC Manual notes that service acquisitions are often labor‑based, but applicable environmental attributes may still be reported depending on contract requirements. ⁵

Useful resources

• G2X — PSC C1KB
• PSC Manual (April 2025 edition, includes C1KB): https://www.acquisition.gov/content/psc-manual-april-2025.pdf
• PSC Manual landing page: https://www.acquisition.gov/psc-manual
• FAR 2.101 (definition of architect‑engineer services): https://origin-www.acquisition.gov/far/2.101
• FAR Subpart 36.6 (Architect‑Engineer Services): https://www.acquisition.gov/far/subpart-36.6
• FPDS‑NG Data Dictionary (V1.5): https://www.fpds.gov/downloads/Version_1.5_specs/FPDSNG_DataDictionary_V1.5.pdf

References

1. Acquisition.gov — PSC Manual April 2025 (PDF). https://www.acquisition.gov/content/psc-manual-april-2025.pdf
2. Acquisition.gov — Product and Service Code Manual (landing page). https://www.acquisition.gov/psc-manual
3. FAR 2.101 Definitions (Architect‑Engineer services). https://origin-www.acquisition.gov/far/2.101
4. FAR Subpart 36.6 — Architect‑Engineer Services. https://www.acquisition.gov/far/subpart-36.6
5. FPDS‑NG Data Dictionary (V1.5). https://www.fpds.gov/downloads/Version_1.5_specs/FPDSNG_DataDictionary_V1.5.pdf