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How can I use FPDS and USAspending to find federal contract award data?

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My company is trying to identify past federal contract awards to better understand the market for IT services. We typically bid on full and open competitions for NAICS 541519, Other Computer Related Services. I've been told that FPDS and USAspending are the main sources for this data.

I've looked at both sites but I'm finding it hard to pull out specific contract award data that is useful for competitive intelligence. For example, I want to see details on awards for our NAICS code, including the award amount, who won it, and when it was awarded. I also want to see if there were any set-asides involved. I tried filtering by NAICS on USAspending but the results felt overwhelming and not very granular. What is the best way to navigate these portals to find specific federal contract award data?

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asked Priya S. Verified vendorCapture manager, IT services · Herndon, VA · 765 rep

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The best way to navigate FPDS and USAspending for specific federal contract award data is to use their advanced search and filtering options, focusing on key data points like NAICS code and set-aside types.

First, for FPDS, you can access more detailed reports than the basic search provides. Look for the "Standard Reports" or "Advanced Search" features, which allow you to build custom queries. You can filter by your specific NAICS code (541519), agency, award amount range, and contract type. FPDS is where agencies report every contract action over the micro-purchase threshold.

For USAspending, while it can be overwhelming, the key is to use the "Advanced Search" and combine multiple filters. Start with your NAICS code. Then, add filters for "Award Type" (e.g., contracts), "Set-Aside Type" (e.g., small business, 8(a), HUBZone, WOSB, SDVOSB), and "Time Period." You can also filter by specific agencies or even by location. Exporting the data to a spreadsheet can help you analyze the results more easily. Both portals provide the award amount, the winning entity, and the award date, which are critical for competitive intelligence.

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answered Jordan P. First-year bidder, landscaping and grounds · Jacksonville, FL · 493 rep

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Sign up to answerCite the FAR clause or procurement code where you can.

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