PSC Q520

Overview

The Product Service Code (PSC) framework is the U.S. federal procurement taxonomy used to classify goods and services in reporting systems such as FPDS and SAM; it is maintained through the PSC Manual and related acquisition guidance to support standardized tracking, analysis, and reporting of government spending.¹

PSC Q520 appears in federal PSC tables and FPDS award records as the code for medical podiatry services (commonly shown as “MEDICAL- PODIATRY” or “Podiatry Services”). It is applied when contracts, orders, or solicitations procure podiatric clinical services or related podiatry support services and is visible on award and solicitation records in FPDS and related systems.²

• See also on G2X:
  • G2X — PSC Q520
  • G2X — PSC Q513
  • G2X — NAICS 621391

What this PSC covers

• Podiatry services and clinical care
• Diagnostic foot and ankle evaluation
• Ambulatory podiatric treatment and follow-up
• Short-term podiatric procedures (non-comprehensive hospital surgery context)
• Patient education and preventive foot-care programs

The official PSC materials provide the short descriptor “MEDICAL- PODIATRY” but do not define a detailed list of covered procedures or clinical scopes; specific scopes are set by the solicitation, statement of work, or performance work statement for each action. Not specified by official sources¹

Related NAICS and PSC codes

Type	Code	Descriptor
NAICS	621391	Offices of Podiatrists
PSC	Q513	Medical — Orthopedics
PSC	Q523	Medical — Surgery

Crosswalks and award records commonly pair PSC Q520 with NAICS 621391 for office-based podiatry procurements; FPDS award data is the primary source for observing these pairings in practice.²

Acquisition notes

• Agencies may treat some medical specialist services, including podiatry, under authorities or procedural exceptions for scarce medical specialists; applicable agency regulation and justification requirements vary by agency. See agency-specific acquisition regulations (example: VAAR guidance on scarce medical specialists).³

Frequently asked questions

• What types of procurements use PSC Q520?
  PSC Q520 is used on FPDS and solicitation records where the government acquires podiatry clinical services, including short-term outpatient treatment contracts, clinic staffing agreements, and contracted podiatric consultations. Award records and solicitations typically display the PSC when applicable.²

• Which NAICS is typically paired with PSC Q520?
  NAICS 621391 (Offices of Podiatrists) is frequently cited with PSC Q520 for outpatient and office-based podiatry services in federal procurements and FPDS award records.²

• Does PSC Q520 prescribe clinical scope or allowable procedures?
  The PSC entry provides a high-level descriptor only; clinical scope, allowable procedures, and qualifications are determined by the solicitation’s statement of work, performance requirements, and the awarding agency’s policies. Not specified by official sources¹

• Are there special contracting rules for podiatry services?
  Some agencies have statutory or regulatory authorities for procuring scarce medical specialists that affect competition and justification requirements. Contracting officers should consult the applicable agency regulation and procurement guidance for any special rules or exceptions.³

Useful resources

• G2X — PSC Q520
• Product and Service Code Manual (official PSC list and spreadsheet).¹
• FPDS (federal award database; search awards and notices by PSC code).²
• VAAR 806.302-571 — Authorized or required by statute; notes on scarce medical specialists (agency-specific acquisition considerations).³

References

1. Product and Service Code (PSC) Manual — PSC April 2025 spreadsheet and manual, Acquisition.gov. https://www.acquisition.gov/content/psc-april-2025.xlsx

2. FPDS (Federal Procurement Data System) ezSearch — federal award and procurement records. https://www.fpds.gov/ezsearch/fpdsportal

3. VAAR 806.302-571 Authorized or required by statute — Veterans Affairs Acquisition Regulation, Acquisition.gov. https://www.acquisition.gov/vaar/806.302-571-authorized-or-required-statute-va-unique-authorities