Federal Government Launches USAspending.gov Web Site

 

 

Government contractors now have easier access to information on government spending and contract awards since the advent of the newly developed USAspending.com web site. The information contained on this site may be valuable to companies that do business with federal government agencies, or wish to do so in the future. The site's home page explains –

"Have you ever wanted to find more information on government spending? Have you ever wondered where federal contracting dollars and grant awards go? Or perhaps you would just like to know, as a citizen, what the government is really doing with your money. The Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006 (Transparency Act) requires a single searchable website, accessible by the public for free that includes for each Federal award:

1. The name of the entity receiving the award;
2. The amount of the award;
3. Information on the award including transaction type, funding agency, etc;
4. The location of the entity receiving the award;
5. A unique identifier of the entity receiving the award.

Welcome to www.USAspending.gov, a re-launch of www.FederalSpending.gov. This site provides citizens with easy access to government contract, grant and other award data. This site shows you where your money goes and provides a summary of federal spending, which is in the billions of dollars."

Some Frequently Asked Questions:

Why is this website being developed?

It is required by the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (Transparency Act).

What's the purpose of the new legislation?

To provide the public with information about how their tax dollars are spent. Citizens have a right and need to understand where tax dollars are spent. Collecting data about the various types of contracts, grants, loans, and other types of spending in our government will provide a broader picture of and much needed transparency to the Federal spending processes. The ability to look at contracts, grants, loans, and other types of spending across many agencies, in greater detail, is a key ingredient to building public trust in government and credibility in the professionals who use these agreements

Will there be an opportunity to provide comment on the requirement for prime contractors to submit information on their subcontracts?

The subcontract pilot program will be implemented through the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR). A proposed rule will be issued through the Federal Register and will request comment from all interested parties. All comments will be considered before the final rule is published. However, unless repealed the requirement to report subcontracting data will be fully implemented in 2009.

Businesses involved in government contracting should take some time to investigate this improved and easy-to-navigate web site as a way to gain information to utilize in planning their contracting strategies.