PSC Q503

Overview

The Product Service Code (PSC) system is the government-wide taxonomy used to classify what is purchased in federal contracting. PSCs are recorded in FPDS/SAM to describe the primary product or service for each contract action, and the PSC Manual (GSA) is the authoritative source for PSC definitions and management. ¹

PSC Q503 is the Service Code for Medical—Dentistry. The PSC Manual places Q503 in Category Q5 (Medical — Medical/Dental/Surgical), lists included provider types (for example: general and pediatric dentists, endodontists, periodontists, oral surgeons, dental hygienists, dental assistants, and dental laboratory technicians), and explicitly excludes dental instruments/equipment and dental imaging supplies, which are reported under product PSCs. ¹

• See also on G2X:
  • G2X — PSC Q503 overview: https://app.g2xchange.com/psc/Q503
  • G2X — NAICS 621210 (Offices of Dentists): https://app.g2xchange.com/naics/621210
  • G2X — PSC Q999 (MEDICAL- OTHER): https://app.g2xchange.com/psc/Q999

What this PSC covers

• Clinical dental care services including examinations and restorative procedures. ¹
• Pediatric dentistry and specialty dental physician services (for example, endodontics and periodontics). ¹
• Oral and maxillofacial surgery and associated oral surgery technician services. ¹
• Dental hygiene, prophylaxis, and periodontal maintenance. ¹
• Dental laboratory technician services (prosthodontic laboratory work). ¹
• Auxiliary clinical support roles (dental assistants). ¹

Related NAICS and PSC codes

• Type | Code | Descriptor
• • | -: | -
• PSC (Service) | Q401 | Nursing (related patient-care services; PSC Manual cross-reference)
• PSC (Product) | 6520 | Dental instruments, equipment, and supplies (explicitly excluded from Q503)
• PSC (Product) | 6525 | Dental imaging equipment and dental imaging supplies (explicitly excluded from Q503)

Source: PSC Manual. ¹

Contracting considerations

• Select the PSC in FPDS that reflects the predominant service or product on the action; if the primary activity is clinical dentistry labor, use Q503. The PSC Manual explains that FPDS data element 8A should reflect the predominant product or service. ¹

• Service Contract Labor Standards (SCLS) applicability requires assessing whether an activity is a “professional service.” FAR and agency guidance commonly treat services performed by doctors (including dentistry) as professional services in many contexts; contracting officers should confirm SCLS applicability and wage determinations via SAM.gov and relevant agency guidance. ²

Frequently asked questions

• Q: Which provider types does PSC Q503 explicitly include?
  A: The PSC Manual lists family/general dentists, pediatric dentists, endodontists, periodontists, prosthodontists, oral/maxillofacial pathologists and surgeons, oral surgery technicians, dental hygienists, dental assistants, and dental laboratory technicians. ¹

• Q: Are dental instruments and imaging equipment reported under Q503?
  A: No. Dental instruments, equipment, and supplies are product PSC 6520, and dental imaging equipment and supplies are product PSC 6525; the PSC Manual excludes those product PSCs from Q503. ¹

• Q: Which NAICS typically pairs with dental service contracts?
  A: Federal awards for dental services commonly report NAICS 621210 (Offices of Dentists) when the primary work is dental practice services. Not specified by official sources ¹

• Q: How should contracting officers pick the PSC when actions mix services and supplies?
  A: The PSC Manual directs coding the “predominant” product or service for the contract action—where the majority of the value or the primary purpose of the award lies. Contracting officers should document the rationale in the contract file. ¹

Useful resources

• G2X — PSC Q503 page: https://app.g2xchange.com/psc/Q503
• Product and Service Code (PSC) Manual (Acquisition.gov PDF). ¹
• AFARS / Acquisition guidance on services, SCLS, and professional-services exemptions (Acquisition.gov). ²

References

1. Product and Service Code Manual, Fiscal Year 2024 Edition (PSC Manual), U.S. General Services Administration, Acquisition.gov, https://www.acquisition.gov/sites/default/files/manual/PSC%20Manual%20April%202024.pdf

2. 6-14. Services (AFARS / Acquisition.gov guidance on services and SCLS applicability), https://www.acquisition.gov/afars/6-14.-services