PSC B541: Special Studies/Analysis – Defense
B541 is the product and service code (PSC) federal agencies use for special studies/analysis – defense, in the special studies – not r and d 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
- 2
- Spending, FY2026
- $466.8 million
- Share to small businesses
- 3%
Open contracts with PSC B541, due soonest
- DARPA's Commercial Solutions Opening (DCSO) for Commercial Strategy
✦ DARPA's Commercial Strategy office is taking proposals from companies that already hold technology developed under a DARPA research program.
Due in 201 daysApr 30, 2027
Where B541 sits in the PSC Manual
- Category: Service
- Group B: Special Studies/Analysis, Not R&D
- Group B5: Special Studies – Not R and D
- Code B541: Special Studies/Analysis – Defense
NAICS codes used with PSC B541
The NAICS code on a contract sets the size standard for who counts as small. These are the codes agencies pair with B541 most often:
| NAICS | Industry | Spent, last 3 years |
|---|---|---|
| 541990 | All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | $1.1 billion |
| 541715 | Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology) | $642.1 million |
| 541330 | Engineering Services | $73 million |
| 336411 | Aircraft Manufacturing | $49.6 million |
| 332993 | Ammunition (except Small Arms) Manufacturing | $7.8 million |
| 541519 | Other Computer Related Services | $2.6 million |
Who buys under PSC B541
Agencies with the most contract dollars under B541 over the last three fiscal years, per USAspending.gov:
| Agency | Obligated |
|---|---|
| Washington Headquarters Services | $715.3 million |
| Federal Acquisition Service | $483.2 million |
| Department of the Navy | $342.1 million |
| Department of the Air Force | $201.8 million |
| Department of the Army | $108.1 million |
| Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency | $31.9 million |
| Department of Energy | $198,854 |
| U.S. Special Operations Command | $93,282 |
Federal spending under PSC B541 by year
| Fiscal year | Contract obligations |
|---|---|
| FY2024 | $826 million |
| FY2025 | $589.6 million |
| FY2026 | $466.8 million |
| FY2027 (so far) | $0 |
Who wins PSC B541 contracts
| Company | Obligated, last 3 years |
|---|---|
| Parsons Government Services Inc. | $483.2 million |
| The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory LLC | $428.9 million |
| The Cna Corporation | $287.3 million |
| The Rand Corporation | $259.3 million |
| Institute for Defense Analyses | $207 million |
| Lockheed Martin Corp | $49.6 million |
| Dzyne Technologies, LLC | $39.5 million |
| Booz Allen Hamilton Inc | $34 million |
| Hart Technologies, Inc. | $20.6 million |
| Applied Research Associates, Inc. | $8 million |
Related PSC codes
- B502 Special Studies/Analysis – Air Quality
- B503 Special Studies/Analysis – Archeological/Paleontological
- B504 Special Studies/Analysis – Chemical/Biological
- B505 Special Studies/Analysis – Cost Benefit
- B506 Special Studies/Analysis – Data (Other Than Scientific)
- B507 Special Studies/Analysis – Economic
- B509 Special Studies/Analysis – Endangered Species: Plant/Animal
- B510 Special Studies/Analysis – Environmental Assessments
- B513 Special Studies/Analysis – Feasibility (Non – Construction)
- B516 Special Studies/Analysis – Animal/Fisheries
Frequently asked questions
What is PSC B541?
B541 is the service code in the federal Product and Service Code (PSC) Manual for special studies/analysis – defense, under B (Special Studies/Analysis, Not R&D) and B5 (Special Studies – Not R and D). 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 B541?
Most federal contract dollars under PSC B541 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 B541?
Contract opportunities are posted on SAM.gov with their PSC and NAICS codes. 2 open notices use PSC B541 right now. FedReady can match new ones to your business and email you, free.