Create a PO

Introduction

A Purchase Order is an offer by the Government established to buy supplies or services, including construction and research and development, upon specified terms and conditions, using simplified acquisition procedures.

Instructions on Reporting a Purchase Order
Steps:

  1. From the FPDS Navigation screen, under the logo, click .

  1. Enter data in the General Information section.

  1. Award Type:  Defaults to Purchase Order

  2. Award Status:  Defaults to New

  3. Award ID - Mandatory Fields

  1. Referenced IDV ID - not applicable.

  2. Reason for Modification - Not applicable for a base contract. Select the value that applies when reporting a modification to a base contract.

  3. Solicitation ID - Enter the Solicitation Identifier as in Contract Opportunities Notice. Number format must be upper case alpha and numeric only with no embedded spaces or special characters. FPDS will convert lower case letters to upper case, remove leading or trailing blank spaces, and remove any non-alphanumeric characters prior to validation.

  4. Treasury Account Symbol - The Treasury Account Symbol is an optional data element and is made up of three parts: the Agency Identifier (2 characters); the Main Account (4 characters); and a Sub Account (3 characters) if one exists. As of June 28, 2019, the Treasury Account Symbol fields will be Not Applicable and will be grayed out. That includes all three parts: the Agency Identifier (2characters); the Main Accounts (4 characters); and a Sub Account (3 characters).

  5. Initiative - The data element "Treasury Account System Initiative" has a drop down with 'American Recovery and Reinvestment Act' as the only value that can be selected. If this action is not 'American Recovery and Reinvestment Act' leave it as 'Select One'. As of June 28, 2018, the Initiative field will be Not Applicable and will be grayed out.


  1. Enter Data in the Dates section.

  1. Date Signed - Enter the date that the transaction was signed. For a bilateral transaction, this is the later of the date signed by the Entity or the Contracting Officer. For a unilateral transaction, this is the date signed by the Contracting Officer.

  2. Period of Performance Start Date - Enter the period of performance start date agreed to by the parties.

  3. Completion date - Enter the mutually agreed upon completion date. This date reflects the current period of performance excluding options that have not been exercised.

  4. Estimated Ultimate Completion Date - Enter the mutually agreed upon estimated ultimate contract completion date for the entire contract including all options whether they have been exercised or not.


  1. Enter Data in the Amounts section.

  1. Action Obligation - Enter the net amount of funds (in dollars and cents) obligated or de-obligated by this transaction. If the net amount is zero, enter zero. If the net amount is a de-obligation, enter a minus sign in addition to the net amount.

  2. Base and Exercised Options Value (Total Contract Value) - Enter the total value (in dollars and cents) of the base contract plus all options (if any) that have been exercised at the time of award.

  3. Base and All Options Value - Enter the mutually agreed upon total estimated contract or order value (in dollars and cents) including the base contract and all options whether they have been exercised or not (if any).

  4. Fee Paid for Use of IDV - This data element is Not Applicable for a Purchase Order.


  1. Enter Data in the Purchaser Information section.

  1. Contracting Office Agency ID - This corresponds to the agency that awards the contract. This will be defaulted to the agency that the contracting officer belongs to.

  2. Contracting Office ID - Contracting Office Code must be a valid contracting office code in the FPDS Contracting Office/Funding Office Lookup Table for the agency. If the default code is not appropriate, enter the code for the contracting office that executed or is otherwise responsible for the transaction.

  3. Funding Agency ID - Enter the agency that has funded the transaction. If this field is left blank the system will assume the Contracting Office Agency ID entered is also funding the action. Program/Funding Agency Code must be in the FPDS Agencies/Sub-agency look-up table.

  4. Funding Office ID - Enter the office that is funding the action. Program/Funding Office - Code be a valid funding office code in the FPDS Contracting Office/Funding Office table.

  5. Foreign Funding - If a foreign government or international organization funds some of the cost of the acquisition though Foreign Military Sales, then select 'Foreign Funds FMS'. If a foreign government or international organization funds some cost of the acquisition by means other than Foreign Military Sales, select 'Foreign Funds non-FMS'. If there is no foreign funding, select 'N/A'.


  1. Enter Data in the Entity Information section.

Entity Registered in SAM

  1. Enter the Unique Entity ID (UEI). The entity address, socio economic status and CAGE Code will auto populate.

  1. In the Entity Information section, next to the Name field, click . Use the look up screen to locate an entity by entering the following information:

  1. After entering the entity information click .

  1. Click on the right to load your selection.

  1. If the Legal Business Name and address is used as the search criteria, more than one entity may display in the pick list, click on the left to make your selection.

  1. Click on the right to load your selection.

  1. If the entity does not display, click and use other criteria like the Unique Entity ID (UEI) or the Doing Business As Name.

  1. Click .

  1. From the pick list, click on the left to make your selection.

  1. Click on the right to load your selection.

Entity Not Registered in SAM

  1. If the entity is not registered in the System for Award Management (SAM), then select the FAR 4.1102 Exception by clicking . Note: This data element is the same as the "2 CFR Part 25 Exception" data element in FAADC.

  1. A pick list will display with a selection that defines the reason the Entity is not required to register in SAM. From the pick list, click on the left to make a selection:

  1. Click on the right to load your selection.

  2. Enter the Unique Entity ID (UEI). The entity information will auto populate. If an invalid Unique Entity ID (UEI) is entered, the Entity information will not populate and a validation error will be displayed at the top of the screen.

  1. Enter data in the Contract Data section.

  1. Type of Contract - Enter the code that best describes the contract type.

  2. Inherently Governmental Functions - If PSC is a service (excluding PSC service code R497), select the appropriate value. If PSC is a product (including PSC service code R497), the value must be left blank.

  3. Multiyear Contract - This data element is Not Applicable for a PO.

  4. Major Program - If your agency has designated ‘Major Programs’ and this award is part of such a program, enter the code for the Program’ for this award.

  5. National Interest Action - The respective value if the contract is awarded in response to any national disaster like Katrina, otherwise 'None'. As of 1/27/2024, the National Interest Action field is not selectable for all record types where the field was previously open.

  6. Cost or Pricing Data - This data element is Not Applicable for a PO.

  7. Purchase Card Accepted as Payment Method - Select 'Yes' if purchase card is used to pay the entity, else, select 'No'.

  8. Undefinitized Action - If the contract is a Letter Contract, then select 'Letter Contract'. If the contract action is some other form of Undefinitized Action, then select 'Other Undefinitized Action'. If the contract action is neither a Letter Contract nor an Undefinitized Action, then select 'N/A'.

  9. Performance Based Service Contract -Indicates whether the contract action is a PBA of services as defined by FAR 37.601.

    1. Select 'Yes - Service where PBA is used' for contracts for services where:

      1. For FY 2004 and prior actions, a minimum of 80% of the anticipated obligations under the procurement must be performance based.

      2. For FY 2005 and later actions a minimum of 50% of the anticipated obligations under the procurements action must be performance based.

    2. Select 'No- Service where PBA is not used' when the procurement is for services but the above PBA standards are not met. Select 'Not Applicable' for contract actions that are predominantly for supplies.

    3. Select 'Not Applicable' for contract actions that are predominantly for supplies.

  10. Emergency Acquisition – Select the appropriate option if the action is in support of a contingency, humanitarian, or peacekeeping operation and the award is over $200,000.

  11. Contract Financing - Select the appropriate value.

  12. Cost Accounting Standards Clause - This data element is Not Applicable for a PO.

  13. Consolidated Contract - If the contract action is awarded by DoD or if DoD is the funding activity for an order with an estimated total value that exceeds $5.5 million and the action is a consolidation of contract requirements, then select 'Yes'. It is DOD's responsibility to identify consolidated requirements in the Interagency Agreement. Enter 'No' if the order is not funded by DoD, or if the contract or order:

    1. Has an estimated total value less than or equal to $5.5 million

    2. Has been reported as a Bundled Contract or

    3. Is not a consolidation of contract requirement

      4. Civilian agencies may assume it is not a consolidated requirement if DOD has not specified this in the Interagency Agreement.

      The above values will only be able to be selected if the "Date Signed" on the action is on or earlier than February 2, 2017. Beginning with the new values, the thresholds have been deprecated. Consolidated Contract is Required for both DoD and Civilian Agencies.

      The new values for "Consolidated Contract" have changed for actions with the "Date Signed" on or after February 3, 2017.

      Enter Code A, 'Consolidated Requirements' when the requirements meet the definition of "Consolidation" or "consolidated requirement" at FAR 2.101 but a written determination was not made because 1) the estimated value of the requirements were at or below $2 million OR 2) the requirements are bundled and a written determination for bundling is required. Enter Code B' Consolidated Requirements with Written Determination' when the requirements meet the definition of "Consolidation" or "consolidated requirement" at FAR 2.101 and a Written Determination is made in accordance with FAR 7.107-2. Enter Code C, 'Consolidated Requirements Under FAR 7.107-1(b) Exception' when the requirements meet the definition of "Consolidation" or "consolidated requirement" at FAR 2.101 but do not require a written determination in accordance with FAR 7.107-1(b) Exception. Enter Code D, 'Not Consolidated' when the requirements do not meet the definition of "Consolidation" or "consolidated requirement" at FAR 2.101.

  14. Number of Actions - Enter the appropriate value.


  1. Enter data in the Legislative Mandates section.

  1. Clinger Cohen Act - Select 'Yes' if the action is subject to the Clinger Cohen Act, otherwise select 'No'.

  2. Labor Standards Act - - Data element is required for all Awards and populates on the modifications, Delivery/Task Orders and BPA Calls, for both Civilian Agencies and DoD. Select Yes if the award is subject to Labor Standards and the Labor Standards clause and wage determination or the collective bargaining agreement is included in the award. Otherwise, select No or Not Applicable. (FAR 22.10). Select Not Applicable if the award does not meet the dollar threshold or was listed as exempt under FAR 22.10. See Data Dictionary Element 7C Use Case for appropriate data entry requirements. FAR Clause 52.222-41 "Labor Standards" - that goes with the Service Contract Labor Standards (formerly Service Contract Act.

  3. Materials, Supplies, Articles, and Equip- This data element is required for all Awards and populates on the modifications, Delivery/Task Orders and BPA Calls, for both Civilian Agencies and DoD. Select Yes if the award is subject to Materials, Supplies, Articles, and Equipment and the Materials, Supplies, Article, and Equipment clause is included in the award. The Materials, Supplies, Articles, and Equipment applies to the manufacture or furnishing of materials, supplies, articles, and equipment (referred to as supplies) in any amount exceeding $10,000. Otherwise, select No or Not Applicable. (FAR 22.6). Select Not Applicable if the dollar threshold was not met or if the award was exempt based on the fact that it was not a manufactured item. See Data Dictionary Element 7B Use Case for appropriate data entry requirements. FAR Clause 52.222-20 "Contracts for Materials, Supplies, Articles, and Equipment Exceeding $15,000" - that goes with Contracts for Materials, Supplies, Articles, and Equipment Exceeding $15,000 (formerly Walsh-Healey).

  4. Construction Wage Rate Requirements – This data element is required for all Awards and populates on the modifications, Delivery/Task Orders and BPA Calls, for both Civilian Agencies and DoD. Select Yes if the award is subject to the Construction Wage Rate Requirements clause and wage determination or the collective bargaining agreement is included in the award. The Construction Wage Rate Requirements applies to contracts in excess of $2,000 for construction, alteration, or repair (including painting and decorating) of public buildings or public works within the United States. Otherwise, select No or Not Applicable. (FAR 22.403-1). Select Not Applicable if the procurement is not for construction or if the dollar threshold was not met. See Data Dictionary Element 7D Use Case for appropriate data entry requirements. FAR Clause 52.222-6 "Construction Wage Rate Requirements" - that goes with Wage Rate Requirements (Construction) (formerly David-Bacon Act)

  5. Additional Reporting There is a list of values for this data element. Select the value or values that apply to this action. Two or more values can be chosen, unless ‘None of the Above’ is selected.

  6. Interagency Contracting Authority - If the transaction is subject to the Economy Act, select 'Economy Act'. If the transaction is subject to the Other Statutory Authority, select the 'Other Statutory Authority' and provide the name of the authority in the available text field, Other Interagency Contracting Statutory Authority. If no Statutory Authority applies, select 'Not Applicable'.

  7. Other Interagency Contracting Statutory Authority - If the value selected in the Interagency Contracting Authority is 'Other Statutory Authority', then provide the name of the authority in this free form text field.


  1. Enter data in the Principal Place of Performance section.

  1. Place Of Performance Zip Code (+4) - Enter or select the appropriate U.S. Zip Code (+4) to auto populate the City, the State, the County, and the Congressional District. If the Place of Performance is a non-U.S. country, then enter or select the Country. A Postal Code value does not need to be provided for a foreign country but can be entered.


  1. Enter data in the Product or Service Information section.

  1. Product or Service Code - Pick the code that best identifies the product or service procured. If more than one code applies, then report the code that represents most of the ultimate contract value.

  2. NAICS Code - Report the code that was used in the solicitation.

  3. Bundled Contract - Select 'Mission Critical' if the agency has determined that the consolidation of requirements is critical to the agency's mission, but the measurably substantial benefits do not meet the thresholds set forth in the FAR 7.107 to determine that the consolidation is necessary and justified. B OMB Circular A-76. Select 'OMB Circular A-76' if the agency used the OMB Circular A-76 process to determine that the consolidation of the requirements is necessary and justified rather than applying the substantial benefits analysis required by FAR 7.107. Select 'Other' when the requirement is "bundled" and neither 'Mission Critical' nor 'OMB Circular A-76' applies. Select 'Not Applicable' if the contract requirements were not bundled or if this is a consolidated contract. Select ‘Not a Bundled Requirement’ if the contract requirements were not bundled or if this is a consolidated contract. The above values will only be able to be selected if the “Date Signed” on the action is on or earlier than February 2, 2017. Beginning with the new values, the thresholds have been deprecated.

    The values for Bundled Contracts have changed beginning for actions with a “Date Signed” on or later than February 3, 2017. See below.

    Enter Code E ‘Bundled Requirements’ when the requirements meet the definition of “Bundling” at FAR 2.101. Enter Code F, ‘Substantially Bundled Requirements’ when the requirements meet the definition of “Bundling” at FAR 2.101 but has an estimated value outlined at FAR 7.107-4 Substantial Bundling. Enter G, ‘Bundled Requirements Under a FAR 7.107-1(b) Exception’ when the requirements meet the definition of “Bundling” at FAR 2.101 but do not require a written determination in accordance with FAR 7.107-1(b). Enter Code H, ‘Not Bundled’ when the requirements do not meet the definition of “Bundling” at FAR 2.101.

  4. DOD Acquisition Program - DoD: Enter the code for the DoD component followed by the code established for that component for the program, system, or equipment that this transaction is related to.

  5. Country of Product or Service Origin - If the product or service being procured is a domestic end product or service, enter U.S. If the product or service is not a domestic end product or service, enter the country code that designates the preponderance of the product or service.

  6. Place of Manufacture - When product has substantial foreign components or services are performed by foreign entities, this field indicates whether the contract is still technically a U.S. contract. Select Mfg in U.S if the action is predominantly for acquisition of manufactured end products that are manufactured in the United States. Select Mfg outside U.S. - Use outside the United States if the foreign manufactured end products acquired are predominantly for use outside the United States (FAR 25.100). Select Mfg outside U.S. - Resale if the foreign manufactured end products acquired are predominantly for resale(FAR 25.103(d). Select Mfg outside U.S. - Trade Agreements if the foreign manufactured end products are predominantly eligible products acquired under Trade Agreements (FAR 25.402(a)(1)). Select Mfg outside U.S. - Commercial information technology if the foreign manufactured end products are predominantly commercial information technology items (FAR 25.103(e)). Select Mfg outside U.S -Public interest determination if the head of the agency has made a determination that domestic preferences would be inconsistent with the public interest (FAR 25.103(a)). Select Mfg outside U.S. - Domestic non-availability if the foreign manufactured end products were predominantly not domestically available as shown by one of the following: (i) The item is listed at FAR 25.104 (FAR 25.103(b)(1). (ii) The agency did an individual determination (FAR25.103(b)(2)). (iii) No offer of a domestic end product was received, even though the acquisition was synopsized and conducted through full and open competition (FAR 25.103(b)(3). Select Mfg outside U.S. - Unreasonable cost if the cost of the offered domestic end products was unreasonable (FAR 25.103(c), 25.105, and Subpart 25.5) Select Mfg outside U.S. - Qualifying country (DOD only) For DoD only, the foreign manufactured end products are predominantly qualifying country end products (DFARS 225.003 and 225.872-1).

  7. Domestic or Foreign Entity - This field indicates an entity. Select any of the three U.S. related entries or either of the two foreign entries to indicate whether the entity is a domestic or a foreign entity respectively.

  8. Recovered Materials/Sustainability - Select the appropriate option based on the clauses used in the award. If none of the appropriate clauses were used select No Clauses Included.

  9. Information Technology Commercial Category - When the contracting agency or the funding agency is DoD and this procurement is for computer hardware or services, select a value certified by the funding office as to the commercial nature of the products or services.

  10. Claimant Program Code - DoD: A claimant program number designates a grouping of supplies, construction, or other services. Enter the appropriate code from the DoD Procurement Coding Manual Section III, DoD Claimant Program Number. As of 10/29/2022, the Claimant Program Code field is Not Applicable for all record types where the field was previously open.

  11. Sea Transportation - This field designates whether the entity anticipates some of the supplies may be transported by sea. Select Yes when the entity's response to the provision at 252.247-7022, Representation of Extent of Transportation by Sea, or 252.212-7000(c)(2), Offeror Representations and Certifications - Commercial Items, indicates that the entity anticipates that some of the supplies being provided may be transported by sea. Select No if they won't be transported by sea, otherwise select Unknown. As of 1/28/2023, the Sea Transportation field is Not Applicable for all record types where the field was previously open.

  12. GFP Provided Under This Action - Select the appropriate option.

  13. Use of EPA Designated Products - When purchasing products on the EPA Designated Products List without the required minimum recovered material content, a written justification based on exception codes Price, Performance, or Time is required by FAR 23.405(c). If more than one exception applies or more than one justification was completed, report the predominant exception or the exception that pertains to the highest cost EPA-designated item for which a justification was completed. Select 'Meets Requirements' if EPA-designated product or products were purchased and all contained the required minimum recovered material content. Select 'Justification - Time' if EPA-designated product or products were purchased without the required minimum recovered material content and a justification was completed based on inability to acquire the product(s) competitively within a reasonable time (FAR 23.405(c)(1)). Select 'Justification - Price' if EPA-designated product or products were purchased without the required minimum recovered material content and a justification was completed based on inability to acquire the product(s) at a reasonable price (FAR 23.405(c)(2)). Select 'Justification - Performance' if EPA-designated product or products were purchased without the required minimum recovered material content and a justification was completed based on inability to acquire the product(s) to reasonable performance standards in the specifications (FAR 23.405(c)(3)). Select 'Required No' EPA-designated product(s) were required.

  14. Description of Contract Requirement - Enter a brief description of the goods or services that you are buying.


  1. Enter data in the Competition Info section.

  1. Extent Competed For Referenced IDV - This data element is Not Applicable for a PO.

  2. Extent Competed - Click the dropdown and make a selection.

  3. Source Selection Process - Click the dropdown and make a selection.

  4. Solicitation Procedures - Click the dropdown and make a selection.

  5. IDV Type of Set Aside - System Generated.

  6. Type of Set Aside - Click the dropdown and make a selection.

  7. Type of Set Aside Source - System Generated.

  8. Evaluated Preference - Click the dropdown and make a selection.

  9. SBIR/STTR - Click the dropdown and make a selection.

  10. Fair Opportunity/Limited Sources - This data element is Not Applicable for a Purchase Order and will be grayed out.

  11. Other Than Full and Open Competition - Click the dropdown and make a selection.

  12. Local Area Set Aside - Select 'Yes' if preference to the local firms is given through a local area set-aside. Select 'No' if a local area set-aside is not applicable. FAR 6.207

  13. Contract Opportunities Notice - If the transaction is subject to Contract Opportunities Notice, then select 'Yes'. If the transaction is subject to the FAR 5.102 or 5.202 exceptions, then select 'No'. If the Action Obligation on the transaction is less than or equal to $25K, then select 'Not Applicable'.

  14. A-76 Action - Select 'Yes' if the contract action resulted from an A-76/Fair Act competitive sourcing process, otherwise select 'No'. As of 10/29/2022, the A-76 Action field is Not Applicable for all record types where the field was previously open.

  15. Commercial Products or Services Acquisition Procedures - Click the dropdown and make a selection.

  16. Number of Offers Received - Enter the number of offers received.

  17. Number of Offers Source - System Generated.

  18. Small Business Competitive Demonstration Program - This value is system generated.

  19. Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Products and Commercial Services - Select the appropriate value from the drop down list.


  1. Enter data in the Preference Programs/Other Data section.

  1. Contracting Officer Business Size Determination - Report the Contracting Officer's determination of whether the selected entity is a small business for this contract.

  2. Subcontract Plan - Subcontracting plan requirement. (See FAR Part 19.702). Select the appropriate option.

  3. Price Evaluation Percent Difference - This data element is Not Applicable on a PO.


  1. Click .