By Outrider Editorial Team · Updated August 20, 2026
PSC AC23 is experimental development under the atomic energy defense activities subfunction. Where AC22 funds the science, AC23 funds building and testing the things the science implies: prototypes, experimental devices, and first-of-a-kind demonstrations inside the nuclear security enterprise. FY2025 obligations were $1.40 billion.
The most industrially diverse atomic energy code
Unlike its applied-research sibling, AC23 spreads across manufacturers. Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences R&D (541715) leads at $411 million, but 332993, Ammunition (except Small Arms) Manufacturing, is second at $326 million. Then 541712 at $244 million, 334220, Radio and Television Broadcasting and Wireless Communications Equipment Manufacturing, at $191 million, and engineering services 541330 at $98 million. Energetics, ordnance, and communications equipment firms all hold meaningful positions, which makes AC23 the most accessible code in the AC2x block for an industrial supplier.
One line on the two code systems
The PSC covers the buy. The NAICS code covers the seller's line of business.
The stage boundary to watch is the one the manual draws for all experimental development: prototypes and scaled technology demonstrations are in scope, but low-rate initial production and pre-production tooling are not, and belong outside the R&D codes entirely.
NAICS crosswalk
Where FY2025 AC23 dollars landed, by the winning vendor's registered NAICS code.
- 332993Ammunition (except Small Arms) Manufacturing$326.2M
- 541712Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)$244.2M
- 541330Engineering Services$97.9M
FY2025 federal contract obligations, USAspending.gov
Frequently Asked
PSC AC23 questions, answered.
What does PSC AC23 cover?
Experimental development under the atomic energy defense activities subfunction: prototypes, experimental devices, and first-of-a-kind demonstrations within the nuclear security enterprise.
What NAICS codes win AC23 work?
Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences R&D (541715) at $411 million and Ammunition (except Small Arms) Manufacturing (332993) at $326 million lead, with 334220 adding $191 million.
Why is AC23 less concentrated than AC22?
Experimental development requires fabrication, energetics, instrumentation, and communications hardware, so the work reaches industrial suppliers and does not stay inside laboratory research registrations.
Where does production work go?
Out of the A series entirely. The manual excludes low-rate initial production and pre-production development from experimental development, so production activity is classified under product or other service codes.
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