Frequently Asked Questions

PlainFedContract uses contract award data from USAspending.gov, the official open data source maintained by the U.S. Department of the Treasury. Our database covers 5,000+ contractors, 111 agencies, 499 NAICS industries, and 56 states/territories through fiscal year 2024.

USAspending.gov receives data from federal agencies on a rolling basis. We refresh our database periodically when significant new data is available. Fiscal year data typically stabilizes several months after the fiscal year ends (September 30).

Yes, PlainFedContract is completely free. All our data comes from publicly available government sources. We don't require registration, subscriptions, or payment.

Our data comes directly from USAspending.gov with no modifications. However, government data may lag behind actual contract actions by several weeks, and classified contracts may not appear. For the most current information, check USAspending.gov directly.

Obligations are binding commitments by the government to pay for goods or services (when a contract is awarded). Outlays are actual disbursements (when the check is written). PlainFedContract shows obligations, which is the standard metric in procurement data.

A single company may appear under different names in USAspending.gov data due to variations in how agencies record recipient names (e.g., 'LOCKHEED MARTIN CORP' vs. 'LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATION'). We preserve the official records as-is.

No. PlainFedContract covers only contract awards (procurement). Grants, direct payments, loans, and other forms of financial assistance are separate categories of federal spending not included in this portal.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be the sole basis for business planning or investment decisions. Contract data reflects historical spending patterns and does not predict future awards. Always verify with official sources and consult appropriate professionals.