This guide provides clear instructions on effectively using keyword searches to discover pertinent opportunities and awards on our platform. Understanding the importance of crafting effective searches is crucial in maximizing your search accuracy.
Getting Started with Keyword Searches
1. Initiate a Keyword Search:
- Begin by clicking inside the search bar to start your search process.
2. Mastering Keyword Syntax:
- To understand the full capabilities of keyword syntax, click on Keyword Help under the Advanced Filter Options. This will provide a guide to constructing effective search queries.
- Syntax options include:
- Default Operator: AND. For example, searching "red yellow" automatically implies "red AND yellow."
- The syntax “+” also signifies an “AND” operation, e.g., "red + yellow."
- The syntax “|” represents “OR,” allowing alternative terms, e.g., "red | yellow."
- The syntax “-” negates or excludes a term; for example, "-green" removes items containing "green."
- Quotation Marks (" "): Encapsulate multiple words to search for exact phrases.
- Asterisk (*): Acts as a wildcard for prefix searches, capturing term derivatives.
- Parentheses ( ): Define search precedence, grouping terms for clarity.
3. Applying Keyword Syntax:
- Example 1: ((email security) | "cyber security") - Searches records containing both "email" AND "security" or the exact phrase "cyber security."
- Example 2: ((hardware | software) + (supplies | equipment))—This function retrieves records with combinations like "hardware and supplies," "software and equipment," etc.
- Example 3: ((RX/TX | "Transmitted signal" | "Received signal") + (-dental | -medical)) - Captures records mentioning "RX/TX," "Transmitted signal," or "Received signal," but excludes any related to the medical or dental fields.
- Example 4: W81K04* - Matches records linked with the DoDAAC code relevant to the Department of Defense, Army, MEDCOM.
4. Keyword Stemming:
Stemming is a search feature that broadens your search results by including various forms of a root word. For example, if you search for "develop," stemming ensures your results include "developing," "developed," and "development."
Benefits:
- Comprehensive Results: Captures a range of related terms, ensuring you get all relevant information.
- Efficiency: Saves time by manually eliminating the need to enter multiple word variations.
Possible Drawbacks:
False Positives: This may return results that include unwanted variations of the word, potentially leading to less precise search results.
5. Advanced Search Features:
Advanced search features empower you to decide precisely where keyword searches should focus. Recognizing that every search is unique and each company has distinct criteria, these options enable you to tailor the search experience to meet the specific requirements of your company and individual saved searches. Below are the multiple selectable options available within the Advanced search features.
a. How to access Advanced Search features:- Find the gear icon (⚙) in the top-right corner of the screen to open Advanced Search Settings, where you can tailor your search criteria.
Configure the scope of your keyword search:
- Title: Searches will apply the keyword to opportunity titles.
- Solicitation Number/CN: This is ideal when your keyword is a potential solicitation or contract number. Focusing exclusively on these elements ensures precision.
- Description: This option targets the government’s summary information, capturing the details of a new opportunity or update. Selecting this option restricts the search to this specific information.
- Attachments: The broadest search option, applying keywords across all documents linked to the opportunity record.
b. Disable Stemming- Check this option to perform exact matches without including root word variations.
c. Save Preferences- You can save your field selection preferences for future searches by clicking 'Set as Default Keyword Fields.'
FAQs and Troubleshooting
Q: Why am I not getting accurate search results?
A: Ensure there are no orphaned quotation marks, as they can adversely affect your search. Use parentheses to group terms appropriately, defining the hierarchy of your search logic to ensure the correct execution of boolean operators.
Q: How do I search for exact phrases?
A: Always enclose the phrase within double quotes, such as " cyber security, " to ensure the search captures that exact wording.
Q: How should I use parentheses in a boolean search for basic and advanced queries?
A:
- Basic Use: Parentheses group terms to clarify search logic and precedence, similar to functions in math. For example, ((email security) | "cyber security") ensures the system interprets it as looking for either "email and security" together or the specific phrase "cyber security."
- Advanced Use: Parentheses become crucial in complex queries that combine multiple AND and OR conditions. They help manage and restrict how the search logic is interpreted, such as ((hardware | firmware) + (accessories | peripherals) + -(obsolete)), which looks for specific combinations while excluding certain categories.
By carefully following these guidelines and correctly configuring your search settings, you can greatly enhance the accuracy and relevance of your search results. Proper setup ensures you receive the most precise and valuable information tailored to your needs. For additional help, please contact our support team at support@federalcompass.com.