PSC H273

Overview

The Product Service Code (PSC) framework standardizes classification of goods and services across U.S. federal procurement to support contracting, reporting, and spend analysis. PSC entries are recorded in federal procurement systems (FPDS, SAM) and defined in the Product and Service Code Manual, which provides classification scope and usage guidance for contracting officers and data reporters. ¹

PSC H273 designates testing and evaluation services for food-preparation and food-serving equipment. It covers laboratory and field testing that assess equipment performance, materials and food-contact surfaces, durability, safety, or conformance to specifications. The PSC Manual groups H273 within equipment-related quality-control/testing families used for government reporting and contracting. ¹

• See also on G2X:
  • PSC H273
  • PSC H373
  • PSC H973

What this PSC covers

• Commercial testing services for food-preparation and serving equipment (laboratory or field testing).
• Performance and functional verification (heating, cooling, holding, dispensing).
• Materials and food-contact surface evaluation (cleanability, corrosion, potential contaminants).
• Durability, reliability, and lifecycle testing of commercial kitchen appliances.
• Safety and sanitary compliance testing relative to government specifications. ¹

Related NAICS and PSC codes

Not specified by official sources ¹

Contracting considerations

• Reporting and classification: Assign PSC H273 on solicitations and awards when the primary deliverable is equipment testing for food preparation or serving equipment to ensure accurate FPDS/SAM reporting and spend visibility. ²
• Distinguish testing vs. inspection: Use testing PSC H273 for laboratory and performance testing; use inspection PSC H373 when the activity is acceptance inspection of delivered items. Related family codes (PSC H2 / H3) reflect equipment-related QC and inspection groupings. ¹
• Statement of work: Clearly specify scope, test methods or standards, acceptance criteria, sampling procedures, and any food-contact safety or sanitation requirements to reduce misclassification risk. Not specified by the PSC Manual in technical-detail terms. ¹

Frequently asked questions

• Q: When should PSC H273 be used instead of H373?
  A: Use PSC H273 when the primary deliverable is testing results, reports, or certification from laboratory or materials testing. Use PSC H373 when the activity is inspection, acceptance, or onsite verification of delivered or installed items. ¹

• Q: Is PSC H273 reportable in service-contract inventories and FPDS?
  A: Yes. Equipment-related quality-control PSCs are included in agency service reporting and FPDS records; agencies must apply applicable PGI and reporting guidance when determining reportability and thresholds. ²

• Q: Does the PSC Manual provide one-to-one NAICS crosswalks for PSC H273?
  A: The PSC Manual provides authoritative PSC definitions and category alignments; it does not always publish explicit, one-to-one NAICS crosswalks for every PSC entry. Contracting officers should use local procurement guidance when mapping to NAICS. ¹

• Q: Are technical testing methods or sanitation standards defined by the PSC Manual?
  A: No. The PSC Manual defines classification and scope only. Specific test methods, sanitation, and materials standards (for example, FDA, USDA/FSIS, or ANSI/NSF requirements) are established by other agencies and standards bodies. ¹

Useful resources

• PSC H273 — G2X overview.
• Product and Service Code Manual — Acquisition.gov. ¹
• PGI 204.17 — Service Contract Inventory guidance — Acquisition.gov. ²

References

1. Product and Service Code Manual — Acquisition.gov. https://www.acquisition.gov/psc-manual.
2. PGI 204.17 — SERVICE CONTRACT INVENTORY — Acquisition.gov. https://www.acquisition.gov/node/55702.