Contract Information System

Data Scope

These data are derived from the USDOT Contract Information System (CIS). The CIS includes all USDOT contracting activities reported to the Federal Procurement Data Center (FPDC).

Data Collection

Methods - Data are compiled by USDOT Contracting staff from Department contract documents. Selected information is data-keyed into the CIS computer database, which can be queried to compute the needed statistics.

Schedule - Data are entered into the database upon contract approval and are available for query on an as-needed basis.

Sampling Errors

Not applicable. All USDOT contracts are enumerated.

Nonsampling Errors

All data systems are subject to nonsampling errors. Miskey errors are possible in these data. Other types of nonsampling errors are considered highly unlikely.

Verification and Validation

After data-keying of the information, USDOT staff other than the ones that completed the data-keying do a clerical crosscheck to ensure that data are keyed correctly. The number of miskeying errors are minimal. The Small Business Administration (SBA) conducts verification and validation of data by comparing annual reports submitted by USDOT against FPDC data. SBA staff notifies USDOT of errors that they detect for correction.