Summary of Responses to the Treasury Bureau of the Fiscal
Service Notice in the Federal Register on 9/26/2014 for “Public
Input on the Establishment of Financial Data Standards (Data
Exchange)”
January 30, 2015
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Topics
 Background
 Overview of responses
 Summary of responses for each question
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Background
On 9/26/2014, the Treasury Bureau
of the Fiscal Service issued a notice
in the Federal Register on “Public
Input on the Establishment of
Financial Data Standards (Data
Exchange)”
 The notice requested comments from
private and public stakeholders on
several data standard topics and
questions “to better ensure the data
standards to be established by
Treasury and OMB are informed and
useful, and to ensure compliance with
DATA Act consultation requirements.”
 Comments were due on November 25,
2014.
The notice requested comments on the following:
A. Examples of data standards on data exchange that could ensure the
data is “open.”
B. Examples of data standards on data exchange that could ensure that
“availability” goals are met.
C. Examples of data standards on data exchange that could ensure the
data provides efficient “business reach” to foster private sector
innovation.
D. Examples of data standards on data exchange that could ensure the
implementation of appropriate “validation” processes.
E. Examples of data standards on data exchange that could ensure
appropriate “extensibility.”
F. Examples of data standards on data exchange that could ensure Ease
of Implementation.
G. How would the data standards benefit or add value to your
constituent group or pertinent stakeholders?
H. What use cases would you anticipate or envision?
I. What impact would data standards have on you, your business,
constituent group, or pertinent stakeholders and investments?
J. What other criteria should be considered by Treasury and OMB in
establishing the data standards on data exchange?
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Approach
 Record metadata from all responses
– Name of respondent, organization, posted date, unique identifier, etc.
 Determine number of responses for each question
 Summarize information provided for each question, without validation
or assessment of response content
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Overview of Responses
 Fiscal Service received 34 unique responses*
– 12 responses answered all the questions
FRN
Question
Number of
Responses
– 6 responses answered some of questions
A
16
– 16 responses did not answer any questions
B
14
C
13
D
16
E
16
F
14
G
16
H
16
I
14
J
14
 In addition, a number of respondents provided
useful recommendations for establishing
Financial Data Standards for Data Exchange**
that went beyond the scope of the questions
* Two of the 35 responses were identical
** Based on the Data Management Association (DAMA) Guide to the Data Management Body of Knowledge (DMBOK)
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Question A: Open Data
Summary of Responses
Please describe or provide examples of data standards on data exchange that could ensure
the data is “open.” Open in this context means anyone can access, use, or re-use posted
information, including the public, Federal agencies, local and state governments, academia,
media, industry, standard-setting bodies, transparency groups, on a worldwide scale.
Summary of Responses
 An open standard should be selected and prescribed.
 Many standards are available: most commonly recommended were
XML, XBRL, JSON, NIEM, and extending XML.*
 Both information technology (IT) systems and humans should be able to
read and process the data.
 Standard should use implementation practices that support open
implementation. This includes human readable labels, license free data,
and sharing of tools and software that support data standards.
* XML: Extensible Markup Language – http://www.w3.org/XML/
XBRL: eXtensible Business Reporting Language) – https://www.xbrl.org/
UBL: Universal Business Language – https://www.oasis-open.org/committees/tc_home.php?wg_abbrev=ubl
JSON: JavaScript Object Notation – http://www.json.org/
NIEM: National Information Exchange Model – https://www.niem.gov/Pages/default.aspx
Respondents
 Ambur
 Publish What You Fund
 Mark V Systems Limited
 P3 Data Systems, Inc.
 OASIS Universal Business Language
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Technical Committee
AICPA
CGI Federal, Inc.
Hoffman
IRIS Business Services Limited
PWC
Sunlight Foundation
Booz Allen Hamilton
AGA
Data Transparency Coalition
XBRL.US
Center for Organizational Analysis
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Question B: Available Data
Summary of Responses
What are examples of data standards on data exchange that could ensure that “availability”
goals are met? Availability in this context means free access to the data standard, both
during development, at final stage, and for translations. Availability is assurance that core
technologies can be implemented royalty-free.
Summary of Responses
 Several standards are available that are generally free of charge: XML,
XBRL, UBL, JSON, and NIEM.
 Recommended practices to enable creation of an implementation
environment that supports free access and availability include:
– Engaging software vendors to support implementation
– Maximizing explicit common definitions
– Implementing community tools and practices
– Implementing strong governance
Respondents
 Ambur
 Mark V Systems Limited
 P3 Data Systems, Inc.
 OASIS Universal Business Language
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








Technical Committee
AICPA
CGI Federal, Inc.
Hoffman
IRIS Business Services Limited
PWC
Sunlight Foundation
Booz Allen Hamilton
Data Transparency Coalition
XBRL.US
Center for Organizational
Excellence
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Question C: Business Reach
Summary of Responses
What are examples of data standards on data exchange that could ensure the data provides
efficient “business reach” to foster private sector innovation? Business reach refers to the
global reach of the business community with either local or global integration opportunities.
The end points of business reach are regional (business integration remains a regional area of
opportunity) or international (business integration has the potential for direct links to the
international community).
Summary of Responses
 Using open standards will enable leveraging the contributions of the
business community by increasing its ability to collaborate.
 Examples include XML, XBRL, UBL, JSON, and NIEM.
 Use common exchange formats to enable leveraging existing business
capabilities: REST* application programming interfaces (APIs) and
JSON.
 Standardize data to the greatest practical extent to enable common
exchange and engagement with the business community.
* REST: Representational State Transfer: http://www.restapitutorial.com/lessons/whatisrest.html
Respondents
 Ambur
 Mark V Systems Limited
 P3 Data Systems, Inc.
 OASIS Universal Business Language









Technical Committee
AICPA
CGI Federal, Inc.
Hoffman
IRIS Business Services Limited
PWC
Booz Allen Hamilton
Data Transparency Coalition
XBRL.US
Center for Organizational Excellence
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Question D: Validation
Summary of Responses
Please describe or provide examples of data standards on data exchange that could ensure the
implementation of appropriate “validation” processes. Validation means an ongoing process for
validation and integration. Validation has spectrum end points that are rules-based or
document-based. Rules-based refers to business rules which are interwoven into the standard
output and governance body. Document-based end points are business rules separately stored,
not entirely contained within the standard output or governance body.
Summary of Responses
 Several data standards have built in features for the rules and
document supported validation: XBRL, UBL, WS-Security, Schematron,
and RULEML.*
 Some commercial products also include rules-based validation.
 Several respondents recommended approaches to enable validation
processes:
– Address the major types of validation: identity verification, source validation,
data format validation, rule-based validation for data consistency, validation
across multiple data submissions, and validation across the federal spending
life cycle
– Seek to strike a balance between easily achievable, rules-based validations
and those that might be more difficult to automate or require agency-specific
approaches
– Establish a governing board, which is an important step to implementing
validation processes
* Schematron – http://www.schematron.com/
RULEML: Rule Markup Language – http://wiki.ruleml.org/index.php/RuleML_Home
Respondents
 Ambur
 Publish What You Fund
 Mark V Systems Limited
 P3 Data Systems, Inc.
 OASIS Universal Business Language











Technical Committee
AICPA
CGI Federal, Inc.
Hoffman
IRIS Business Services Limited
PWC
Texas Education Agency
Booz Allen Hamilton
AGA
Data Transparency Coalition
XBRL.US
Center for Organizational Excellence
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Question E: Extensibility
Summary of Responses
Please describe or provide examples of data standards on data exchange that could ensure
appropriate “extensibility.” “Extensibility” in this context is defined as functionality for
flexibility (maintenance) of future modification to the data standard. The end points of the
spectrum for these criteria are flexible and rigid. Flexible references extensibility and
implementation ease, whereas rigid relates to the pliability of the construction and rules
integration.
Summary of Responses
 XBRL is extensible and flexible. The capability to add elements to the
taxonomy can provide unique definitions and labels so that the
information can be transparent to anyone consuming the data.
– Allows for the continuing growth and change necessitated by changes in
reporting requirements
– Allows individual reporting entities to report information that is unique to their
organizations and that has not been included in the standard set of
concepts/terms available to use in the standard
 UBL is extensible in that it enables the validation of user-defined
additions to the standard schemas.
Respondents
 Ambur
 Publish What you Fund
 Mark V Systems Limited
 P3 Data Systems, Inc.
 OASIS Universal Business Language
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









Technical Committee
AICPA
CGI Federal, Inc.
Hoffman
IRIS Business Services Limited
PWC
Texas Education Agency
Booz Allen Hamilton
AGA
Data Transparency Coalition
XBRL.US
Center for Organizational Excellence
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Question F: Ease of Implementation
Summary of Responses
Please describe or provide examples of data standards on data exchange that could ensure
Ease of Implementation. Ease of Implementation refers to integration and interoperability
within a given environment. The related end points are simple (easily integrates into
environment) or difficult (integration into environment necessitates extra steps).
Summary of Responses
 XBRL is an example of a data standard that supports ease of implementation.
–
Respondent recommends adoption of a specific profile of XBRL that limits the complexity
(tuples, excess dimensions) while retaining the powerful metadata in consistent format.
–
Implementing XBRL for the reporting of business information requires the development of a
taxonomy to be used for the reporting application.
–
The XBRL standard has been adopted across a wide range of domains, including stock
exchanges, central banks, business registries, securities commissions, tax authorities, and
other federal and local government agencies.
 UBL is another example of a data standard that supports ease of implementation.
–
UBL is designed to plug directly into existing business, legal, auditing, and records
management practices, eliminating the re-keying of data in existing fax- and paper-based
supply chains.
 Other examples of data standards on data exchange include REST/JSON, CSV, and TXT.
–
Respondent believes these standards are much more developer friendly and are increasingly
becoming the preferred mechanisms for information sharing in IT environments.
–
Respondent considers JSON a great standard for mobile devices, which are the common
medium of information processing by citizens and other public organizations.
–
Respondent considers that CSV and/or TXT may be better for data statistical analysis
processes.
 Respondent recommends building on standards currently being used by Treasury.
Respondents
 Ambur
 Mark V Systems Limited
 P3 Data Systems, Inc.
 OASIS Universal Business Language










Technical Committee
AICPA
CGI Federal, Inc.
Hoffman
IRIS Business Services Limited
PWC
Booz Allen Hamilton
AGA
Data Transparency Coalition
XBRL.US
Center for Organizational Excellence
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Question G: Benefits
Summary of Responses
How would the data standards examples or descriptions on data exchange you provided in A-F
above, if implemented, benefit or add value to your constituent group or pertinent stakeholders?
Summary of Responses
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Increases consistency in data that is fully interoperable
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Improves the public’s ability to access and share Federal spending data
Reduces the amount of errors that can occur in manual processes
Reduces burden of reporting on recipients receiving federal funds
Reduces nonconformance to complex financial reporting rules
Optimizes development for a single standardized implementation by decreasing the number
of APIs, which increases the overall productivity of the software development process
Easier to analyze the accuracy and completeness of the data, ensuring its reliability
Better data to support their own benchmarking and competitive analysis
States with central grant office functions or state comptrollers would be able to easily view
and download data from USASpending.gov for all state data
 Enhanced data analytics
 Enhanced data presentation to myriad stakeholder groups, including policy makers, subject
matter experts, taxpayers, and citizens
 Private industry (large and small businesses) and not-for-profit organizations would be better
able to mine and analyze data and identify business opportunities and focus areas
 Achieve better accountability, better management, and automatic compliance in federal
spending reports. Providing trustworthy data to watchdogs both inside and outside the
government.
Respondents
 Ambur
 Mark V Systems Limited
 P3 Data Systems, Inc.
 OASIS Universal Business Language
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










Technical Committee
AICPA
CGI Federal, Inc.
Hoffman
IRIS Business Services Limited
PWC
Texas Education Agency
Sunlight Foundation
Booz Allen Hamilton
AGA
Data Transparency Coalition
XBRL.US
Center for Organizational Excellence
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Question H: Use Cases
Summary of Responses
What use cases would you anticipate or envision for information with data structured in
accordance with established data standards on data exchange?
Summary of Responses
 Implementing a solution that creates an environment of consolidated
data that is available to the government and private sector communities
(i.e., a data centric environment).
 Enabling greater analytics and better decision making through greater
data consolation/association, access, and quality.
– Examples of Consolidation/Association: enabling the comparison of data from a
contractor supporting multiple contracts; and accessing enterprise view of
federal spending across agencies and programs
– Example of Access: viewing data from multiple sources at the same time
– Example of Quality: comparing data with other sources of Federal spending
information to determine data quality
 Improve the private sectors’ accountability, management, and
compliance in federal spending reports.
 Enable improved views or reports of financial data (for example: full lifecycle, geospatial, information hierarchies; and conducting oversight on
specific contracts).
Respondents
 REI Systems
 Ambur
 Mark V Systems Limited
 P3 Data Systems, Inc.
 OASIS Universal Business Language











Technical Committee
AICPA
CGI Federal, Inc.
Hoffman
IRIS Business Services Limited
PWC
Sunlight Foundation
Booz Allen Hamilton
AGA
Data Transparency Coalition
XBRL.US
Center for Organizational Excellence
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Question I: Impact
Summary of Responses
What impact would established and implemented data standards on data exchange have on
you, your business, constituent group or pertinent stakeholders, and investments?
Summary of Responses
 Provide greater clarity into Government goals and the effectiveness of
grant programs, resulting in better allocation of resources and more
effective results.
 Implementation of standards will cause increased costs for some
private and government entities due to changes in their processes or
technology from legacy implementations.
 Greater access to data and standardization will enable private sector
entities to focus their resources on better solutions or priorities for the
government.
 Audit reporting and related processes may be more effective with
standardized data and a standardized rules processing environment.
Respondents
 Ambur
 Mark V Systems Limited
 P3 Data Systems, Inc.
 OASIS Universal Business Language










Technical Committee
AICPA
CGI Federal, Inc.
Hoffman
IRIS Business Services Limited
PWC
Texas Education Agency
Booz Allen Hamilton
Data Transparency Coalition
XBRL.US
Center for Organizational Excellence
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Question J: Other Criteria
Summary of Responses
What other criteria should be considered by Treasury and OMB in establishing the data
standards on data exchange?
Summary of Responses
 Supporting functions/capabilities will be critical to the effectiveness of establishing
data standards:
–
–
–
–
–
Stewardship of the data
Security
Data management/data governance
Metadata
Outreach and change management
 Ensure that the developed data standards remain flexible (for example, integrating
with other standards and ability to account for related kinds of reporting that are not
strictly financial).
 Planning for implementation should take into account potentially significant and
complex changes required by supporting systems and organizations.
 Leverage best practices for data standardization and for implementing systems that
will use the data:
–
–
–
Consolidate data elements based on requirements of other reporting needs where
possible (i.e., Standard Business Reporting).
Leverage incremental and iterative development for new or modernized systems.
Semantic linkages are crucial to connecting financial data to other sources of data.
 A robust review and validation process for data standards is important, and as part
of the process, some amount of manual effort to evaluate the quality of the data will
be necessary.
Respondents
 Ambur
 REI Systems
 P3 Data Systems, Inc.
 OASIS Universal Business Language










Technical Committee
AICPA
CGI Federal, Inc.
Hoffman
IRIS Business Services Limited
PWC
Booz Allen Hamilton
AGA
Data Transparency Coalition
XBRL.US
Center for Organizational Excellence