R&D: Space Science/Applications (Engineering Development) (Legacy)

PSC AR24 is a retired space R&D code with $772 million obligated in FY2025 across just two NAICS codes, the narrowest profile in this reference set.

PSC AR24 · Family A: Research and Development · Published

By Outrider Editorial Team

FY2025 obligations by the NAICS code on the award

All of the $772.2M obligated under AR24 in FY2025 went to awards coded NAICS 541715.

FY2025 federal contract obligations, USAspending.gov

PSC AR24 is a legacy code from the R&D structure retired in October 2020. Its name uses engineering development, a stage from the older scheme that the current five-stage model, basic research through R&D facilities and major equipment, does not have. The current manual lists no AR2x codes at all. FY2025 still recorded $772 million against AR24.

The narrowest code in this reference set

AR24 has exactly two NAICS codes attached to it in FY2025. Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences R&D (541715) holds effectively the entire $772 million, and 332618, Other Fabricated Wire Product Manufacturing, holds $0. Not a small share, a rounding error against a code carrying three-quarters of a billion dollars. That profile means one continuing relationship, modified year over year. It is not a market.

PSC and NAICS in one line

A PSC classifies the government's purchase and a NAICS code classifies the industry of the work, and neither gets rewritten on an award once it is signed.

When you see a legacy PSC, near-total NAICS concentration, and a vendor count you can hold in one hand, you are looking at an incumbent position with a long runway, not an opening. Current space engineering work is coded AR13 experimental development or AR12 applied research.

PSC AR24 FAQ

What does PSC AR24 cover?

Space science and applications work at the legacy engineering development stage. The code was end-dated in the October 2020 R&D restructure and has no equivalent in the current five-stage model.

What NAICS codes win AR24 work?

Only two appear in FY2025. Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences R&D (541715) holds effectively all of $772 million, and Other Fabricated Wire Product Manufacturing (332618) accounts for $0.

Why does AR24 have only two NAICS codes?

Extreme concentration on a legacy code indicates continuing obligations against one or two long-running awards, not active competition.

What should I search instead of AR24?

AR12 for applied research and AR13 for experimental development, both under the space flight, research and supporting activities subfunction in the current manual.

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