DATA Act Implementation Check-in

PURPOSE:

• To examine the administration’s efforts and the challenges confronting government-wide implementation of the Digital Accountability and Transparency Act (DATA Act).

BACKGROUND:

• Enacted on May 9, 2014, the DATA Act modernizes federal spending data by requiring agencies to report detailed, program level financial data which will allow for tracking and analyzing the use of taxpayer dollars.
• The DATA Act directs the Office of Management and Budget and the Department of the Treasury to co-lead implementation efforts government-wide.
• The DATA Act requires federal agencies to establish uniform data standards, to begin reporting federal spending data using these standards by May 2017, and to establish pilot programs for procurements and grants.
• The Government Accountability Office has raised concerns about completeness, timeliness, and effectiveness of implementation efforts.