PSC H238

Overview

The Product Service Code (PSC) framework is the federal government’s standardized taxonomy for classifying supplies and services in procurement records. PSCs enable consistent reporting and analysis across FPDS, SAM, and other acquisition reporting systems by providing a common code set for contract actions. The Product and Service Code Manual on Acquisition.gov is the authoritative source for PSC entries, definitions, and the published list used for official reporting and selection. ¹

PSC H238 is titled "Equipment and Materials Testing- Construction, Mining, Excavating, and Highway Maintenance Equipment" in the PSC Manual and is used to identify contracting actions that procure testing, evaluation, diagnostic services, or related materials/testing for those categories of equipment. Use of this PSC in contract reporting indicates that testing-related deliverables (or related test materials) for the listed equipment classes represent the primary acquisition content for reporting purposes. ¹

• See also on G2X:
  • G2X — PSC H238 overview
  • G2X — PSC H236 overview

What this PSC covers

• Construction equipment testing and evaluation services.
• Mining equipment testing and materials testing for mining applications.
• Excavating equipment testing and diagnostic services.
• Highway maintenance machinery testing (for example, pavement maintenance and road-equipment testing).
• Testing of components, subsystems, and materials associated with the above equipment categories.

Source: PSC Manual (official descriptions and scope). ¹

Related NAICS and PSC codes

Reporting & procurement context

• The PSC value recorded in FPDS should be the code that “best identifies the product or service procured”; when multiple PSCs could apply, contracting officers must select the PSC representing the largest dollar value for the award record. ²
• The PSC Manual on Acquisition.gov provides the official descriptions used by agencies for consistent reporting and is the authoritative source for the text shown in FPDS and other reporting tools. ¹

Frequently asked questions

• Q: When should contracting actions use PSC H238?
  A: Use PSC H238 when the primary deliverable is testing, evaluation, diagnostic services, or associated test materials for construction, mining, excavating, or highway maintenance equipment and those services or items constitute the greatest contract value for reporting. Refer to the PSC Manual for the governing descriptor. ¹

• Q: Does selection of PSC H238 determine the NAICS code or small-business size standard?
  A: No. PSC selection is separate from NAICS and small-business size standards. NAICS and size standards are determined by the principal purpose of the acquisition according to FAR and SBA rules; PSCs and NAICS are complementary classifications reported together in FPDS. ²

• Q: Where can procurement staff verify PSC descriptions and suggested mappings?
  A: Procurement staff should consult the PSC Manual on Acquisition.gov for official PSC descriptions and authoritative reporting text; the Product Service Code Selection Tool (PSCTool) is an auxiliary searchable resource for suggested mappings and easier lookup. ³

Useful resources

• G2X — PSC H238: https://app.g2xchange.com/psc/H238
• Acquisition.gov — PSC Manual (Product and Service Code Manual): https://www.acquisition.gov/content/psc-manual-april-2025.pdf
• FPDS — Glossary: Product or Service Code: https://www.fpds.gov/help_V1_0/Glossary.htm
• PSCTool — Product Service Code Selection Tool: https://www.psctool.us/

References

1. Acquisition.gov — PSC Manual (Product and Service Code Manual). https://www.acquisition.gov/content/psc-manual-april-2025.pdf.
2. FPDS — Glossary: Product or Service Code (FPDS help/glossary). https://www.fpds.gov/help_V1_0/Glossary.htm.
3. PSCTool — Product Service Code Selection Tool (PSCTool). https://www.psctool.us/