PSC R427

Overview

The Product Service Code (PSC) framework is a governmentwide taxonomy used to categorize goods and services acquired by the U.S. federal government for reporting and analysis in systems such as FPDS and SAM. The Product and Service Code Manual on Acquisition.gov provides the authoritative code list, descriptors, and change-control procedures for PSCs. PSC entries are descriptive labels; detailed technical scope, performance requirements, and tasking for a specific procurement are set by the contracting agency in solicitations, statements of work, or performance work statements rather than in the PSC Manual itself. ¹

What this PSC covers

• Weather reporting and observation services. ¹
• Operation and monitoring of meteorological stations and instruments. ¹
• Collection, processing, and transmission of meteorological data and reports. ¹
• Weather-broadcast system support (for example, transmitter services for National Weather Radio) when specified in agency solicitations; technical scope is defined by the agency. Not specified by official sources ¹
• Mobile or deployed meteorological observation teams and equipment support, as procured per tasking in the solicitation. Not specified by official sources ¹

Related NAICS and PSC codes

Official PSC-to-NAICS crosswalk entries for this PSC are maintained in the PSC Manual data files and are applied by agencies per solicitation; the manual’s narrative does not supply a single mandatory NAICS mapping for every PSC. Agencies commonly assign NAICS codes based on the predominant service; for many professional meteorological services agencies have used NAICS 541990. ¹

How R427 is reported in acquisition data

Agencies must enter the PSC value into the FPDS element used for product or service code reporting (FPDS element 8A). The PSC Manual directs that the PSC should represent the predominant product or service procured in the contract action; where multiple products or services exist, the dominant one determines PSC selection. Use the PSC value selected by the agency in the contract action record. ¹

Frequently asked questions

• Q: What is the authoritative source for the meaning of PSC R427?
  A: The authoritative source is the Product and Service Code Manual on Acquisition.gov; it lists PSC R427 as "Support- Professional: Weather Reporting/Observation" and provides the official descriptor and administrative guidance, while leaving detailed scope to agencies. ¹

• Q: How should PSC R427 be selected when reporting in FPDS?
  A: Select the PSC that most closely represents the predominant service being contracted and record it in FPDS element 8A. If the acquisition bundles multiple distinct services, document the dominant service per the PSC Manual guidance. ¹

• Q: Which NAICS codes are typically used with PSC R427?
  A: The PSC Manual does not mandate a single NAICS mapping for R427; contracting agencies choose NAICS based on the specific work. For professional meteorological services, agencies have often used NAICS 541990, but assignments vary by solicitation. Not specified by official sources ¹

• Q: Where can I find the official list of PSC codes and periodic updates?
  A: The official PSC list, descriptor guidance, and published data files (spreadsheet releases) are posted on Acquisition.gov in the Product and Service Code Manual materials; updates and change notes are documented there. ¹

See also on G2X

• PSC R427
• NAICS 541990
• PSC R426

Useful resources

• PSC Manual — Product and Service Code (PSC) Manual (Acquisition.gov PDF): https://login.acquisition.gov/sites/default/files/manual/PSC%20Manual%20April%202024.pdf ¹
• PSC data files (official spreadsheet releases) on Acquisition.gov (search the PSC Manual page for current CSV/XLSX releases). Not specified by official sources ¹
• G2X — PSC R427 overview: https://app.g2xchange.com/psc/R427

References

1. Product and Service Code Manual, Acquisition.gov (PSC Manual PDF). https://login.acquisition.gov/sites/default/files/manual/PSC%20Manual%20April%202024.pdf