"The U.S. government publishes volumes of detailed data on the money it spends, but searching through it and finding information can be challenging. Complex search functions and poor user interfaces on government reporting sites can hamper an investigation, as can inconsistent company profiles and complex corporate ownership structures. This week, EFF and the Heinrich Boell Foundation released an update to our database of vendors providing technology to components of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), such as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)"
"This guide covers the key databases that store information on federal spending and contracts (often referred to as "awards"), government solicitations for products and services, and the government's "online shopping superstore," plus a few other deep-in-the-weeds datasets buried in the online bureaucracy. We have provided a step-by-step guide for searching these sites efficiently and help tips for finding information. While we have written this specifically with DHS agencies in mind, it should serve as a useful resource for procurement across the federal government."
The U.S. government publishes detailed spending data but complex search functions, poor user interfaces, inconsistent company profiles, and complex corporate ownership structures make finding information difficult. EFF and the Heinrich Boell Foundation updated a vendor database for technology suppliers to DHS components, including ICE and CBP, adding new vendor profiles, additional fields, and updated top-contractor data. The dataset is accessible via Google Sheets (Google's Privacy Policy applies) or as an Excel download. Shared research methods include a guide to key federal databases, government solicitations, and the government's online procurement portal, plus step-by-step search tips useful across federal procurement. The Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) serves as the primary source for federal contract data.
Read at Electronic Frontier Foundation
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]