Federal Procurement Data System
What's New?

Major Milestones for FPDS-NG - New Look and Feel, with Improved Usability!

It has been a landmark year for the Federal Procurement Data System-Next Generation! The Department of Defense is now fully integrated in real-time with FPDS-NG, ensuring that both the public and private sectors have visibility into a significant portion of federal spending. A recent technology refresh has super-charged FPDS-NG, delivering the most reliable service to the more than 100,000 registered users of the system. A new, more robust reporting tool has been launched, enabling faster and easier access to FPDS-NG reports. And work is already beginning on several key initiatives to help agencies ensure the timeliness and accuracy of their data.

Welcome Department of Defense

FPDS-NG reached a significant milestone recently, when the Department of Defense became fully integrated with the system. The Department of Defense is the largest provider of data in the system, has over 35,000 users, and is the most visible in terms of statutory achievements. Bringing visibility to this spending has been a key goal of FPDS-NG. Having them integrated completes the migration of most agencies to FPDS-NG. This was the result of tireless effort by many people, and countless hours of hard work. Congratulations to all involved!

Super-charged FPDS-NG

Recently, FPDS-NG went through a complete technology re-fresh. From extensive hardware and software upgrades through migration to a 10 GB network, the most powerful network now available, FPDS-NG can be sure to deliver the most reliable and timely service to the extensive government and public user community.

Enhanced Reporting Tool

Over the course of 2006, FPDS-NG integrated the new Informatica reports tool into the system. A reports group, comprised of representatives from across the federal government, was created to adapt the reports from the older software, to the newer Informatica software. This group did not simply transfer the old requirements into the new software; they spent a lot of time considering what the value of each report - if it was still needed, if it could be improved, and who the audience was for each report The Informatica tool itself provides some impressive upgrades. Every report begins at the federal level, the result of many requests from users, with break downs to each department and agency. Every report also contains a drill down feature, allowing the user to get information down to the contract number. Reports can be exported into four different formats, including Microsoft Excel. The new Ad Hoc feature enables users to easily customize and save their own reports.

Data Timeliness and Accuracy

With increased public awareness and scrutiny of procurement data, FPDS-NG is providing the methods to ensure public confidence in that data. Contracting officers are now able to see all of their data, and thus correct any mistakes. System Administrators have access to a suite of reports that describe all aspects of their department’s data. Senior managers can now assess performance on statutory programs. And as always, the public has free and full access to data. Upcoming work for FPDS-NG includes incorporating the Small Business Administration’s new recertification rules, supporting the Federal Financial Accountability and Transparency Act, and evaluating a potential role in strategic sourcing. The next several months promise to be as busy as the last several!

FPDS-NG was created with four principles in mind:

  • Providing greater transparency and visibility into government contracting.
  • Providing a powerful business decision-making tool for the contracting community.
  • Creating a foundation for standardizing contracting processes.
  • Enabling a self-service web accessible reporting tool.

We are pleased that this vision has been realized, through enhanced technology in the reporting tool.