PSC AC21: National Defense R&D Services; Atomic Energy Defense Activities; Basic Research
AC21 is the product and service code (PSC) federal agencies use for national defense r&d services; atomic energy defense activities; basic research, in the r&d – missile & space sys group. Here are the contracts open under it now, the NAICS codes it pairs with, and who buys and wins this work.
- Open contracts now
- 1
- Spending, FY2026
- $262.5 million
- Share to small businesses
- 84%
Open contracts with PSC AC21, due soonest
- SPACE PROPULSION RESEARCH AND INNOVATION FOR NEUTRALIZING SATELLITE THREATS (SPRINT) BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT (BAA)
✦ The Air Force (AFTC) has an open Broad Agency Announcement called SPRINT for space propulsion research aimed at neutralizing satellite threats.
Due in 105 daysJan 23, 2027
Where AC21 sits in the PSC Manual
- Category: Research and Development
- Group AC: C – National Defense R&D Services
- Group AC2: R&D – Missile & Space Sys
- Code AC21: National Defense R&D Services; Atomic Energy Defense Activities; Basic Research
NAICS codes used with PSC AC21
The NAICS code on a contract sets the size standard for who counts as small. These are the codes agencies pair with AC21 most often:
| NAICS | Industry | Spent, last 3 years |
|---|---|---|
| 541990 | All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | $439.6 million |
| 541715 | Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology) | $315.9 million |
| 541712 | Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (Except Biotechnology) | $98 million |
| 561790 | Other Services to Buildings and Dwellings | $2.4 million |
| 541330 | Engineering Services | $1.1 million |
| 611310 | Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools | $249,955 |
Who buys under PSC AC21
Agencies with the most contract dollars under AC21 over the last three fiscal years, per USAspending.gov:
| Agency | Obligated |
|---|---|
| Federal Acquisition Service | $612.3 million |
| Department of the Air Force | $193.4 million |
| Department of the Army | $48.5 million |
| Department of Energy | $12.8 million |
| Defense Logistics Agency | $2.4 million |
| Department of the Navy | $1.4 million |
| National Aeronautics and Space Administration | $249,955 |
Federal spending under PSC AC21 by year
| Fiscal year | Contract obligations |
|---|---|
| FY2024 | $311.1 million |
| FY2025 | $283.6 million |
| FY2026 | $262.5 million |
| FY2027 (so far) | $0 |
Who wins PSC AC21 contracts
| Company | Obligated, last 3 years |
|---|---|
| Bluestaq LLC | $439.6 million |
| Kratos S2, Inc | $172.7 million |
| X-Bow Launch Systems Inc | $39.5 million |
| Amentum Technology, Inc. | $35.2 million |
| Teledyne Brown Engineering, Inc. | $28.5 million |
| Tecolote Research, Inc. | $27.2 million |
| Accion Systems Inc | $20 million |
| Stratolaunch, LLC | $15.8 million |
| Force Measurement Systems, Inc. | $14 million |
| Nevada System of Higher Education | $12.8 million |
Related PSC codes
- AC22 National Defense R&D Services; Atomic Energy Defense Activities; Applied Research
- AC23 National Defense R&D Services; Atomic Energy Defense Activities; Experimental Development
- AC24 National Defense R&D Services; Atomic Energy Defense Activities; R&D Administrative Expenses
- AC25 National Defense R&D SVCS; Atomic Energy Defense Activities; R&D Facilities & Maj Equip
- AC26 R&D – Defense System: Missile/Space Systems (Management/Support)
- AC27 R&D – Defense System: Missile/Space Systems (Commercialized)
Frequently asked questions
What is PSC AC21?
AC21 is the research and development code in the federal Product and Service Code (PSC) Manual for national defense r&d services; atomic energy defense activities; basic research, under AC (C – National Defense R&D Services) and AC2 (R&D – Missile & Space Sys). Agencies put a PSC on every contract to record what they bought.
What is the difference between a PSC and a NAICS code?
A PSC describes what the government is buying. A NAICS code describes the industry of the business doing the work, and it sets the SBA size standard for small business set-asides. Every contract notice has both.
Which NAICS code goes with PSC AC21?
Most federal contract dollars under PSC AC21 go with NAICS 541990 (All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services), according to USAspending.gov. The contracting officer picks the NAICS code for each solicitation, so check the notice.
How do I find contracts that use PSC AC21?
Contract opportunities are posted on SAM.gov with their PSC and NAICS codes. 1 open notices use PSC AC21 right now. FedReady can match new ones to your business and email you, free.