PSC AR12: Space R&D Services; Space Flight, Research and Supporting Activities; Applied Research
AR12 is the product and service code (PSC) federal agencies use for space r&d services; space flight, research and supporting activities; applied research, in the r&d – aero & space tech 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
- 7
- Spending, FY2026
- $1.8 billion
- Share to small businesses
- 3%
Open contracts with PSC AR12, due soonest
- Lunar Enabling Infrastructure Accelerator (LEIA) -Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) NextSTEP-3 Appendix A - Final Solicitation
✦ NASA Glenn Research Center is soliciting proposals under the NextSTEP-3 Broad Agency Announcement (Appendix A, LEIA) to mature five lunar infrastructure technologies toward TRL…
Due in 6 daysOct 15, 2026
- Announcement for Partnership Proposals: Atmospheric Exploration Observatory
Due in 54 daysDec 2, 2026
- Sources Sought Special Notice 2026
✦ NASA Ames Research Center is looking for partners to team with on proposals to NASA Announcements of Opportunity, BAAs and other agency proposal calls.
Due in 83 daysJan 1, 2027
- Autonomous Ion Mass Spectrometer Sentry (AIMSS)
Due in 129 daysFeb 16, 2027
- Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO) for Space Domain Awareness (SDA) Solutions.
✦ The U.S. Space Force (Space Acquisition & Integration Office, Colorado Springs) runs a Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO, a flexible way to buy innovative commercial technology)…
Due in 1201 daysJan 23, 2030
- Kronos Family of Systems Commercial Solutions Opening
✦ Space Systems Command, through its Kronos program, is running a Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO) to buy innovative software, technologies or services for the Kronos Family of…
Due in 1419 daysAug 29, 2030
Where AR12 sits in the PSC Manual
- Category: Research and Development
- Group AR: Space R&D Services
- Group AR1: R&D – Aero & Space Tech
- Code AR12: Space R&D Services; Space Flight, Research and Supporting Activities; Applied Research
NAICS codes used with PSC AR12
The NAICS code on a contract sets the size standard for who counts as small. These are the codes agencies pair with AR12 most often:
| NAICS | Industry | Spent, last 3 years |
|---|---|---|
| 541715 | Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology) | $4.8 billion |
| 336414 | Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing | $79.1 million |
| 541712 | Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (Except Biotechnology) | $25.6 million |
| 541990 | All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | $11.5 million |
| 336419 | Other Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing | $9.2 million |
| 336413 | Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing | $9.2 million |
| 513210 | Software Publishers | On 1 open |
| 927110 | Space Research and Technology | On 1 open |
Who buys under PSC AR12
Agencies with the most contract dollars under AR12 over the last three fiscal years, per USAspending.gov:
| Agency | Obligated |
|---|---|
| National Aeronautics and Space Administration | $4.7 billion |
| Department of the Air Force | $198.5 million |
| Department of the Navy | $3.6 million |
On open notices right now, the most AR12 work comes from National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Dept of Defense and Department of Energy.
Federal spending under PSC AR12 by year
| Fiscal year | Contract obligations |
|---|---|
| FY2024 | $1.4 billion |
| FY2025 | $1.7 billion |
| FY2026 | $1.8 billion |
| FY2027 (so far) | $5.1 million |
Who wins PSC AR12 contracts
| Company | Obligated, last 3 years |
|---|---|
| California Institute of Technology | $2.4 billion |
| Blue Origin Washington, LLC | $1.3 billion |
| Blue Origin Manufacturing, LLC | $505.1 million |
| The Aerospace Corporation | $186.8 million |
| Space Exploration Technologies Corp. | $67 million |
| The Boeing Company | $52.6 million |
| The Trustees of Princeton University | $47.3 million |
| California Institute of Technology | $28 million |
| L3HARRIS Technologies, Inc. | $26.2 million |
| Western Digital Technologies, Inc. | $23.9 million |
Related PSC codes
- AR11 Space R&D Services; Space Flight, Research and Supporting Activities; Basic Research
- AR13 Space R&D Services; Space Flight, Research and Supporting Activities; Experimental Development
- AR14 Space R&D Services; Space Flight, Research and Supporting Activities; R&D Administrative Expenses
- AR15 Space R&D SVCS; Space Flight, Research & Supporting Activities; R&D Facilities & Maj Equip
- AR16 R&D – Space: Aeronautics/Space Technology (Management/Support)
- AR17 R&D – Space: Aeronautics/Space Technology (Commercialized)
Frequently asked questions
What is PSC AR12?
AR12 is the research and development code in the federal Product and Service Code (PSC) Manual for space r&d services; space flight, research and supporting activities; applied research, under AR (Space R&D Services) and AR1 (R&D – Aero & Space Tech). 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 AR12?
Most federal contract dollars under PSC AR12 go with NAICS 541715 (Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)), 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 AR12?
Contract opportunities are posted on SAM.gov with their PSC and NAICS codes. 7 open notices use PSC AR12 right now. FedReady can match new ones to your business and email you, free.