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USA Spending Data Guide and Sample Prompts

Getting started guide for using our USA Spending Plugin

Christian Ferreira avatar
Written by Christian Ferreira
Updated over 9 months ago

USA Spending Data Guide and Sample Prompts


Explanation of Data Types and What They Can Be Used For

USAspending.gov provides comprehensive data on federal spending, including contracts, grants, loans, and other financial assistance. This data can be used for various analyses such as competitor analysis, agency spend analysis, and award analysis.

To search the USAspending data, first use the AI Chat feature and select the USASpending Toggle Switch Data Selector. Then simply ask a question where the AI will search through USAspending and structure the results. Note that if direct links to the USAspending site are not provided, caution should be used on the accuracy of data. All mission-critical data should be validated with USAspending records.


How to Use the AI Chat for USA Spending Data

  1. Select the Data Source:

    • Use the AI Chat feature and select the USASpending Toggle Switch Data Selector to focus the search on USAspending data.

  2. Ask Your Question:

    • Use the sample prompts provided or create your own question by inserting relevant details such as vendor names, agency names, contract numbers, fiscal years, UEI (Unique Entity Identifier), NAICS (North American Industry Classification System) codes, award types, and set asides.

  3. Review the Results:

    • The AI Chat will search through USAspending data and provide structured results based on your query.

  4. Validate the Data:

    • Ensure that all mission-critical data is validated with the official USAspending records for accuracy.


Sample Prompts Based on Different Use-Cases


Competitor Analysis

  1. Vendor Contract Search:

    • "What are the last 5 contracts that {INSERT_VENDOR_NAME} was awarded with the {INSERT_AGENCY_NAME} Agency?"

    • "Show me all contracts awarded to {INSERT_VENDOR_NAME} in the last fiscal year."

    • "List the top 10 contracts by value awarded to {INSERT_VENDOR_NAME}."

  2. Vendor Spend Analysis:

    • "What is the total amount spent on contracts awarded to {INSERT_VENDOR_NAME} in 2023?"

    • "How much did the {INSERT_AGENCY_NAME} Agency spend on contracts with {INSERT_VENDOR_NAME} in the last five years?"

    • "Provide a breakdown of contract types awarded to {INSERT_VENDOR_NAME}."


Agency Spend Analysis

  1. Agency Contract Search:

    • "Show me the top 10 contracts awarded by the {INSERT_AGENCY_NAME} Agency in 2023."

    • "List all contracts awarded by {INSERT_AGENCY_NAME} in the last quarter."

    • "What are the largest contracts awarded by {INSERT_AGENCY_NAME} in the last five years?"

  2. Agency Spend Breakdown:

    • "What is the total amount spent by the {INSERT_AGENCY_NAME} Agency in 2022?"

    • "Provide a breakdown of spending by the {INSERT_AGENCY_NAME} Agency by contract type."

    • "How much did the {INSERT_AGENCY_NAME} Agency spend on IT services in 2023?"


Award Analysis

  1. Award Details:

    • "What are the details of the contract awarded to {INSERT_VENDOR_NAME} with contract number {INSERT_CONTRACT_NUMBER}?"

    • "List all awards given to {INSERT_VENDOR_NAME} by the {INSERT_AGENCY_NAME} Agency in 2023."

    • "Show me the contract details for the largest award given by {INSERT_AGENCY_NAME} in 2022."


Additional Analyses

  1. Search by UEI:

    • "Find all contracts associated with the UEI {INSERT_UEI}."

  2. Search by NAICS Codes:

    • "Show me all contracts with NAICS code {INSERT_NAICS_CODE} awarded in 2023."

  3. Search by Award Types:

    • "List all grant awards given by the {INSERT_AGENCY_NAME} Agency in 2022."

  4. Search by Set Asides:

    • "What are the contracts awarded to small businesses under set-aside programs in 2023?"


Conclusion

Using USAspending data through the AI Chat feature allows for in-depth analysis and insights into federal spending. Whether you are conducting competitor analysis, agency spend analysis, or award analysis, the sample prompts provided can help you get started. Always remember to validate critical data with the official USAspending records to ensure accuracy and reliability.

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