What is the difference between the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) and USAspending.gov?
The Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) is the real-time, relational database that serves the government acquisition community as the authoritative source of contract information. It contains summary level data that is used for policy and trend analysis. Because contracts change over time and FPDS is a real-time, relational database, the numbers change in FPDS every day. It is complicated to explain to someone not familiar with the contract process, why the numbers would change so often in FPDS. In an attempt to provide consistency, OMB accepted the design for USAspending.gov and decided to use a static approach to the spending website. This means the data is presented in simple charts and graphs that do not change – until the next upload is done. The Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act requires an update every 30 days.
Related Questions
- What is the difference between "Catalogue References" data and the Classification System References, such as Van Arsdell, Mack, and Allen numbers?
- How do I report a performance-based acquisition in the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS)?
- Can I use the data exchange standards to submit data from my (Federal, State, Local) system?
