PSC K042

Overview

The Product and Service Code (PSC) system standardizes how the U.S. federal government classifies procured goods and services so acquisitions can be recorded, tracked, analyzed, and reported consistently in FPDS and related systems. The PSC Manual defines codes, descriptions, and the maintenance process used by contracting and data-reporting staff. ¹

PSC K042 is defined in the PSC Manual as "Modification of Equipment- Fire Fighting, Rescue, and Safety Equipment; Environmental Protection Equipment and Materials." It identifies contract actions whose predominant work is modification, retrofit, or alteration of existing fire‑fighting, rescue, safety, or environmental‑protection equipment and related materials. ¹

What this PSC covers

• Modification, retrofit, or upgrade of fire‑fighting equipment such as pumps, hoses, nozzles, and assemblies. ¹
• Alteration of rescue and extrication apparatus including cutters, spreaders, and lifting systems. ¹
• Reconfiguration or alteration of personal and collective safety equipment, for example protective gear and breathing apparatus. ¹
• Modification of environmental‑protection equipment and materials (containment or treatment components). ¹

Related NAICS and PSC codes

(These adjacent PSCs are listed in the PSC Manual under the same equipment grouping.) ¹

Reporting and FPDS coding

• The FPDS product/service element (8A) captures the PSC assigned to each contract action; select K042 when modification is the predominant acquisition line item. ¹
• Contracting officers should follow PGI guidance for CLIN-level coding: assign the PSC that best describes the predominant product or service on each CLIN (use the installation, maintenance, or lease PSC family when those activities predominate). ²

Frequently asked questions

• Q: When is K042 the correct PSC for a contract?
  A: Use K042 when the primary work is modification, retrofit, or alteration of existing fire‑fighting, rescue, safety, or environmental‑protection equipment or materials. If installation, routine maintenance, or leasing predominates, select the corresponding N, J, or W family PSC. ¹

• Q: Is there a definitive NAICS mapping for K042?
  A: The PSC Manual provides category definitions but does not publish a single definitive NAICS crosswalk for every PSC in the manual; related NAICS choices depend on product characteristics and work scope as reported in FPDS. Not specified by official sources ¹

• Q: How should CLINs be structured when a contract includes both modification and maintenance?
  A: Separate CLINs by predominant deliverable. Code the CLIN that funds modification with K042 and code maintenance CLINs with J042, ensuring each CLIN’s PSC reflects its main product or service. Follow PGI CLIN guidance for data entry. ²

• Q: Where can I find authoritative PSC definitions and FPDS guidance?
  A: Use the PSC Manual for official code definitions and the Acquisition.GOV PGI entry for CLIN/PSC reporting guidance; FPDS help pages provide data-entry and ezSearch assistance. ¹

Useful resources

• G2X — PSC K042 overview (G2X internal).
• Product and Service Code Manual (PSC Manual, April 2025). ¹
• PGI 204.7103 — Contract line items (PSC/CLIN guidance). ²
• FPDS — Help & documentation (ezSearch and data-entry guidance). ³

References

1. Acquisition.GOV — Product and Service Code Manual (PSC Manual, April 2025). https://www.acquisition.gov/sites/default/files/manual/PSC%20Manual%20April%202025.pdf.
2. Acquisition.GOV — PGI 204.7103 Contract line items. https://www.acquisition.gov/node/55711.
3. FPDS — Help & documentation (ezSearch and FPDS help pages). https://www.fpds.gov/help/index.jsp.