PSC H289

Overview

The Product Service Code (PSC) system is the federal government’s standardized taxonomy for classifying purchased products and services in procurement data systems. PSC codes enable consistent reporting in FPDS/SAM, support spend analysis and market research, and are maintained and published through the PSC Manual on Acquisition.gov.¹

PSC H289 — Equipment And Materials Testing- Subsistence — is the PSC entry used to categorize government purchases of testing and test-related services associated with subsistence items (food, rations, and related consumables). The PSC Manual lists H289 with that descriptor but does not define task-level scope or detailed work statements; individual solicitations and contract documents supply the specific testing requirements for each acquisition.²

See also on G2X:

• G2X — PSC H289
• G2X — PSC H389
• G2X — PSC H189

What this PSC covers

• High-level descriptor: equipment and materials testing for subsistence (food, rations, consumables), as listed in the PSC Manual.²
• Laboratory analysis and sampling of food and ration items — Not specified by official sources.²
• Shelf-life, stability, and storage-condition testing for field rations — Not specified by official sources.²
• Packaging performance and compatibility testing for subsistence containers — Not specified by official sources.²
• Microbiological, chemical, and nutritional testing related to subsistence items — Not specified by official sources.²

Detailed task-level activities, deliverables, and performance standards are determined in individual solicitations and statements of work; the PSC Manual provides the code descriptor only.²

Related NAICS and PSC codes

The PSC Manual lists the code descriptor but does not prescribe a single NAICS crosswalk or list of related PSC codes; selection of an appropriate NAICS is based on the principal nature of the work and solicitation guidance — Not specified by official sources.²

How contracting officers typically apply H289

Contracting officers assign H289 in procurement reporting (FPDS/SAM) when the principal requirement is testing or test-related services for subsistence items; the PSC is a reporting/classification element used for contract reporting and market research rather than a substitute for a statement of work or specification.¹

Frequently asked questions

• Q: What does the H289 code indicate on a contract record?
  A: H289 signifies the contract’s primary service area is equipment and materials testing related to subsistence (food and consumables). It is a classification field in FPDS/SAM and does not itself define work scope or technical detail.¹

• Q: Is there a corresponding NAICS for H289?
  A: The PSC Manual does not prescribe a single NAICS crosswalk for H289; NAICS selection depends on the dominant nature of the work (laboratory testing, services, or product development) and must follow NAICS guidance included in the solicitation — Not specified by official sources.²

• Q: Do solicitations include H289 automatically when food testing is required?
  A: Assignment of H289 depends on how the requirement is framed; when the dominant requirement is testing of subsistence items, agencies commonly assign H289 for reporting, but the solicitation’s statement of work determines contract performance and deliverables.¹

• Q: Where is the official definition of H289?
  A: The authoritative listing and current PSC Manual are published on Acquisition.gov; the PSC Manual (code table) contains the official descriptor for H289 and is the primary source for the code entry.²

Useful resources

• G2X — PSC H289
• Product and Service Code Manual (Acquisition.gov) — main PSC page.¹
• PSC Manual (April 2025) — full manual and code list (Acquisition.gov).²

References

1. Product and Service Code Manual. Acquisition.gov. https://www.acquisition.gov/psc-manual.
2. PSC Manual April 2025 (PSC Manual PDF). Acquisition.gov. https://www.acquisition.gov/content/psc-manual-april-2025.pdf.