PGI 204.602 General.

(1)  Helpful documents. The Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) website at https://www.fpds.gov provides useful documents and on-line training to assist with FPDS data entry. Key manuals can be found at the top of the website homepage under the "Training" and "Worksite " drop-down links to include:

(i)  FPDS Data Element Dictionary - The data dictionary outlines relevant information for each data field. The version 1.4 Data Dictionary identifies whether a data field is Required, Optional, Propagates from the base action, Not Applicable or System Generated, for each type of data entry screen (Awards, Indefinite Delivery Vehicles, and Transactions/Modifications). It also identifies the source of data entry (e.g., Contracting Officer, Central Contractor Registration, FPDS); the format of the field; and whether the field input is derived from entries in other fields. At the back of the Data Dictionary is a useful summary "J3 DoD Use Case Summary." Note that version 1.3 of the Data Dictionary (and earlier editions) used a term called "Not Required," and did not distinguish between Not Applicable, Propagates, or System Generated. If a data field is identified as "Not Required," it may mean that the data is pre-populated from another source, such as the Central Contractor Registration for vendor data, or the originating contract action report if the current action is referencing a previously reported award.

(ii)  FPDS Data Validations - This document identifies all the validation rules that are applied to data entry. The majority of the rules apply Government-wide. DoD specific validation rules appear at "J5.5.1 DoD Specific Validations."

(iii)  FPDS Users Manual - This manual provides guidance on the various types of data entry screens and addresses whether a particular field is: [R] - requires contracting officer/buyer entry; [A] - pre-populated by FPDS or a contract writing system, if using machine-to-machine process; or [C] - calculated by FPDS for each type of data entry screen. However, the nature of the field is determined based on Government-wide requirements. To determine DoD-specific requirements, refer to J3 "DoD Use Case Summary" in the FPDS Data Element Dictionary.

(2)  Reporting technical or policy issues.

(i)  Technical issues. To report an FPDS technical issue-

(A)

(1)  Users of the Standard Procurement System (SPS) should contact their local SPS Help Desk (authorized SPS caller);

(2)  Users of other contract writing systems should contact the local contract writing system administrator to determine the appropriate procedures; and

(3)  Web users should contact their local system administrator, who will then contact the FPDS Help Desk; or

(B)  If the issue is an obvious FPDS technical issue that needs to be documented and corrected by the system, the user should contact the FPDS Help Desk, by phone at 703-390-5360 or by e-mail at fpdssupport@gcefederal.com. When e-mailing the FPDS Help Desk, also send a copy to the applicable agency representative identified in paragraph (2)(iii) of this section.

(ii)  Policy issues. Report policy issues to the applicable agency representative identified in paragraph (2)(iii) of this section.

(iii)  Agency representatives. Department and component FPDS representatives and their contact information can be found on the DPAP website at http://www.acq.osd.mil/dpap/pdi/eb/federal_procurement_data_system_-_next_generation_fpds-ng.html under "Additional Resources."