PSC N042

Overview

The Product Service Code (PSC) system is the federal government’s standardized taxonomy for classifying products and services in procurement records. PSC values are used in FPDS and SAM reporting to identify what is being purchased, improve spend visibility, and support reporting and analytics; the PSC Manual is the authoritative maintenance document for the codes and definitions.¹

PSC N042 is the Installation of Equipment category for Fire Fighting, Rescue, and Safety Equipment; and Environmental Protection Equipment and Materials. The PSC Manual groups N042 under Category N and associates it with the Group 42 product descriptions, indicating N042 is selected when contract line items are primarily for installing those types of systems or materials.¹

• See also on G2X:
  • G2X — PSC N042
  • G2X — PSC J042
  • G2X — PSC W042

What this PSC covers

• Fire‑fighting equipment installation (fixed and mobile systems).¹
• Rescue and lifesaving equipment installation (marine and land systems).¹
• Safety equipment installation (personal and facility safety systems).¹
• Environmental protection equipment installation (spill containment, treatment units).¹
• Associated materials required for installation (hoses, fittings, anchoring hardware).¹

Related NAICS and PSC codes

Related PSC family entries are listed in the PSC Manual as the installation, maintenance, modification, technical representative, and rental counterparts for Group 42 product classes.¹

Scope notes and examples

The PSC Manual’s Group 42 product descriptions identify items typically associated with PSC N042, such as fire extinguishers, fire hose and fittings, fire trucks, hydrants, sprinkler heads, marine lifesaving and diving apparatus, and related environmental protection materials; exclusions and finer scope language are in the Manual’s Group 42 entries.¹

Common contract activities

Typical procurements coded to PSC N042 include turnkey installation of built‑in fire suppression systems, site installation of spill‑containment and remediation equipment, and installation of rescue systems for maritime or confined‑space operations. Reporting of PSCs in FPDS follows the FPDS data element rules for Product or Service Code.²

Frequently asked questions

• Q: When should a contracting officer select PSC N042?
  A: Select PSC N042 when the predominant work is installation of fire‑fighting, rescue/safety, or environmental protection equipment and associated materials. FPDS guidance directs reporting the PSC that represents the majority of contract value for the action.²

• Q: Is maintenance or repair covered under N042?
  A: No—maintenance, repair, and rebuilding are reported using the maintenance family PSC such as J042. Installation work belongs under N042, while ongoing maintenance and repairs are coded to the J‑family PSCs.¹

• Q: Are rentals or temporary equipment installations reported to N042?
  A: Lease or rental of comparable equipment is captured under the W‑family PSC, for example W042. Use N042 only for installation contract line items, not for standalone leasing actions.¹

• Q: Where do includes/excludes live for N042?
  A: The PSC Manual’s Group 42 product descriptions provide the includes/excludes language that informs N042 scope; contracting officers should consult those Group entries when determining the proper PSC for a line item.¹

Useful resources

• G2X — PSC N042
• Product and Service Code Manual (PSC Manual, April 2025).¹
• FPDS glossary and data element guidance for Product or Service Code (PSC).²

References

1. https://www.acquisition.gov/content/psc-manual-april-2025.pdf
2. https://www.fpds.gov/help/Glossary.htm