PSC R708

Overview

The Product Service Code (PSC) system is the federal government’s standardized classification for procurement goods and services; PSCs support consistent FPDS/SAM reporting, spend analysis, and contract tracking. The Product and Service Code Manual on Acquisition.gov provides the official definitions, “includes” and “excludes” guidance, and maintenance procedures for PSCs. PSC R708 is titled “Support‑ Management: Public Relations” and is used when procurements primarily acquire public‑relations and professional communications services such as writing, media relations, event planning, press services, and broadcast analysis. Agencies apply R708 to discrete PR tasking or programmatic contracts where the principal deliverable is public relations support rather than advertising, market research, or related communications disciplines.¹

• See also on G2X:
  • PSC R708
  • NAICS 541820 — Public Relations Agencies
  • PSC R701 — Advertising
  • PSC R422 — Market Research/Public Opinion

What this PSC covers

• Strategic communications planning and counsel (program strategy, audience analysis, messaging).¹
• Writing and editorial services (press releases, statements, talking points, technical communications editing).¹
• Event planning and execution for public‑facing engagements (press conferences, stakeholder meetings).¹
• Media relations and press office operations (media outreach, spokesperson support).¹
• Media monitoring and radio/television analysis (broadcast clipping, sentiment or reach summaries).¹
• Press services and distribution (press kits, advisories, distribution lists and services).¹

Related NAICS and PSC codes

Crosswalks and award records commonly associate R708 with the NAICS and related PSCs below; agencies select NAICS based on the primary industry of the contractor and the nature of the work performed. See the PSC Manual and FPDS award records for mapping examples and exceptions.¹

Type	Code	Descriptor
NAICS	541820	Public Relations Agencies
NAICS	561920	Convention and Trade Show Organizers
PSC	R701	Support‑ Management: Advertising
PSC	R422	Support‑ Professional: Market Research/Public Opinion

Common procurement activities

• Drafting statements, releases, talking points, op-eds, and other outbound content; official PSC guidance explicitly lists writing services as an included activity for R708.¹
• Planning and managing conferences, press events, and public outreach programs where PR services are the primary requirement.¹
• Media relations campaigns, press distribution, and on‑site press support for agency events or operational announcements.¹
• Media monitoring and broadcast analysis to provide situational awareness and performance metrics to program owners.¹
• Task orders, IDVs, and schedule buys for recurring PR support are common; FPDS award records frequently show R708 paired with NAICS 541820 on such buys.²

Frequently asked questions

• Q: How does PSC R708 differ from R701?
  A: R708 is focused on public relations and professional communications (writing, media relations, event planning, press services). R701 covers advertising activities such as creative ad development and media buying. The PSC Manual distinguishes codes by primary activity focus and examples of included services.¹

• Q: Which NAICS most often pairs with R708 on federal awards?
  A: Federal award records commonly pair R708 with NAICS 541820 (Public Relations Agencies); event‑oriented procurements may use NAICS 561920. FPDS award data show these pairings across multiple agencies and vehicles.²

• Q: Where is the official definition for R708 published?
  A: The authoritative definition, including “includes” and “excludes” guidance for R708, is published in the Product and Service Code Manual on Acquisition.gov (the PSC Manual), which is the primary source for PSC usage and maintenance rules.¹

• Q: Can R708 be used for social media management or digital content production?
  A: If the procurement’s primary deliverable is public relations (strategy, messaging, outreach, press relations), R708 can apply; if the requirement is primarily advertising, marketing, or technical web/digital production, other PSCs or NAICS may be more appropriate. Refer to the PSC Manual for specific guidance.¹

Useful resources

• PSC [R708] on G2X: https://app.g2xchange.com/psc/R708
• Product and Service Code Manual (PSC Manual) — Acquisition.gov¹
• FPDS award/search examples for R708 — FPDS²

References

1. Acquisition.gov — Product and Service Code Manual (PSC Manual). https://www.acquisition.gov/content/psc-manual-april-2025.pdf.
2. FPDS.gov — FPDS‑NG award search for PRODUCT_OR_SERVICE_CODE:"R708". https://www.fpds.gov/ezsearch/search.do?indexName=awardfull&q=PRODUCT_OR_SERVICE_CODE%3A%22R708%22.