Best Practices for Using Historical Award Data in Federal Compass

Step-by-Step Guide to Utilizing Federal Compass Features

1. Search and Filter for Relevant Awards:
   1. Keyword Search: Use specific terms related to your products or services.
   2. NAICS/PSC Codes: Refine searches with relevant codes to align with core capabilities.
   3. Agency Filters: Focus on agencies likely to procure your offerings to understand their buying habits.
   4. Contract Vehicle: Identify procurement methods like GSA Schedules or BPAs.
   5. Awardee Filters: Investigate competitors by filtering by awardee name to examine past performance.

2.  Analyze Award Details:

   1. Contract Value and Length: Understand the scale and typical lifecycle of contracts.
   2. Incumbent Identification: Recognize past contract holders for insights into recompetes.
   3. Set-Aside Information: Identify opportunities with competitive advantages (e.g., small business).
   4. Place of Performance: Consider logistical planning and regional opportunities.
   5. Modifications and Extensions: Note changes and extensions as indicators of satisfaction or scope changes.

3. Identify Trends and Patterns:

   1. Spending Trends Over Time: Analyze whether spending is increasing, decreasing, or stable.
   2. Agency Preferences: Detect patterns in agency awards and contractor preferences.
   3. Competitive Landscape: Identify dominant players or market fragmentation.
   4. Recompete Opportunities: Track contract end dates for early engagement.

4. Leverage Reporting and Analytics:

   1. Visualization Tools: Use charts and graphs for trends, market share, and analysis.
   2. Export Data: Consider external tools for detailed statistical modeling.

Tips and Best Practices

• Define Your Research Objectives: Clarify whether you're seeking new opportunities or analyzing competitors.
• Combine Filters Effectively: Use a combination of keywords, codes, and filters for relevant data.
• Look Beyond the Numbers: Explore the Statement of Work (SOW) for context.
• Track Incumbents Proactively: Assess incumbent performance for recompete strategies.
• Identify Teaming Partners: Find potential partners from similar contract awards.
• Stay Up-to-Date: Regularly review data to stay informed about changes.

Common Mistakes or Misunderstandings

• Over-reliance on Broad Searches: Use specific terms and filters to avoid irrelevant data.
• Ignoring the "Why" Behind the Award: Investigate the context and conditions of awards.
• Failing to Account for Data Limitations: Supplement Federal Compass data with other intelligence.

Need Additional Help?

If you have any questions, please reach out to the CSM team for further assistance, support@federalcompass.com.