Reference
Plain-language definitions for federal spending, contracting, campaign finance, lobbying, corporate records, Congress, foreign assistance, and Paper Trail research.
Glossary category
Money that Congress authorizes a federal agency to spend for a specific purpose.
A law that establishes or continues a federal program or agency and may set limits on how much funding Congress can provide for it. An authorization does not itself provide the money.
The federal office or department that made the award decision.
The legal authority provided by Congress that allows a federal agency to commit federal funds.
Federal spending that Congress generally determines each year through the appropriations process, including much defense and domestic agency spending.
An account used by the federal government to record money available for particular programs, purposes, or activities.
Money committed or paid by the federal government through contracts, grants, direct payments, loans, and other forms of spending.
The federal government's annual accounting period, running from October 1 through September 30. Fiscal years are named for the calendar year in which they end.
The federal office or department that provided the money for the award.
Federal spending required by existing law rather than determined through the annual appropriations process, including programs such as Social Security and Medicare.
A classification describing what the federal government is purchasing or paying for, such as personnel, equipment, grants, or contracts.
A promise by the government to spend money in the future; it is not the same thing as cash already paid out.
Actual money that has been paid out by the government.
A specific program, project, or activity funded within a federal account.
An identification code assigned to a federal account that indicates where government funding comes from and how it may be used.
Glossary category
Federal financial support such as grants, loans, or cooperative agreements rather than contracts.
A financial commitment or agreement made by the federal government to provide money to a recipient for a defined purpose.
The amount associated with a federal award. Depending on the dataset or context, this may represent obligations, potential value, or another measure and should not automatically be interpreted as money already paid.
A unique identifier assigned to a federal award for tracking purposes.
A type of federal award similar to a grant, except the government expects to be substantially involved in the project.
Money paid directly by the federal government to an individual or organization.
The amount of money obligated or deobligated by the federal government in a specific award transaction.
Federal funding provided to support a public purpose without purchasing goods or services directly.
A federal promise to repay part of a private loan if the borrower defaults.
A change made to an existing federal award, such as adding funding, extending its duration, changing requirements, or reducing previously obligated money.
The time during which work under a contract or grant is expected to be completed.
The main organization that received the award directly from the government.
The individual, company, nonprofit, university, or government entity receiving federal funds.
Federal funding passed from a prime recipient to another organization to carry out part of the work.
An organization that receives federal money indirectly through another recipient.
An individual recorded action affecting a federal award, such as the initial award, an additional obligation, a modification, or a reduction in funding.
Glossary category
The process the federal government uses to obtain goods and services. It includes planning, awarding contracts, purchasing equipment, managing projects, and supporting products throughout their life cycle.
The original contract or award before any later changes or modifications.
An arrangement that allows federal agencies to make repeated purchases from a vendor under pre-established terms.
An award made through a process in which multiple eligible companies or organizations may compete for the work or funding.
A legally binding agreement under which a company or organization provides goods or services to the government.
The maximum potential value authorized under a contract or contracting vehicle. It does not necessarily represent money the government has obligated or paid.
A pre-established contracting mechanism that government agencies can use to purchase goods or services.
The government office that has the legal authority to award, administer, and oversee federal contracts. Contracting offices ensure purchases follow federal procurement laws and regulations.
A federal official authorized to enter into, administer, modify, or terminate government contracts on behalf of an agency.
A type of cost-reimbursement contract in which the contractor receives reimbursement for allowable costs plus an additional fee.
A contract under which the government reimburses a contractor for allowable costs, generally up to an established limit.
An order for specific goods or supplies issued under an existing contract vehicle.
The primary set of rules governing how executive-branch federal agencies acquire goods and services.
A contract in which the government generally agrees to pay a set price regardless of the contractor's actual costs of performing the work.
A broad federal contracting vehicle under which agencies can issue individual orders for goods or services over time.
A contract that allows the government to order an unspecified quantity of goods or services during a fixed period, usually through individual task or delivery orders.
An award made without full and open competition among potential recipients or contractors.
A provision allowing the government to extend a contract, purchase additional goods or services, or continue work under predetermined conditions.
A procurement identifier used to track a specific federal contract or award.
A contract awarded directly by the federal government to a company or other organization.
A company or organization holding a contract directly with the federal government.
The process through which the federal government acquires goods, services, construction, or other resources.
A government request used to gather information from potential vendors or industry before deciding how to structure a future procurement.
A solicitation asking potential contractors to submit detailed proposals explaining how they would perform specified work and at what cost.
A government request asking vendors to provide pricing and related information for specified goods or services.
A contract awarded to a single contractor without a full competitive bidding process.
A formal government request seeking bids, proposals, quotations, or other offers for a contract.
An agreement in which a prime contractor hires another company or organization to perform part of the work required under a government contract.
A company or organization hired by a prime contractor or another contractor to perform part of the work associated with a government contract.
An order for specific services issued under an existing contract vehicle, such as an IDIQ contract.
Glossary category
An organization connected to another organization through common ownership, control, or another significant corporate relationship.
A unique identifier assigned to certain entities doing business with the federal government, particularly contractors and organizations involved in defense procurement.
A former business identification number widely used in federal award systems before the federal government transitioned to the Unique Entity Identifier.
A company, nonprofit, or other organization that provides goods or services to the government under a contract.
The entity that directly owns or controls another company, even when that parent is itself owned by a larger organization.
A business arrangement in which two or more entities jointly undertake a particular project or business activity.
A company that owns or controls another company or subsidiary.
The Unique Entity Identifier assigned to organizations that receive federal awards.
The federal government's registration system for organizations that want to do business with the government.
A company controlled or owned, wholly or partly, by another company.
The highest-level entity in a corporate ownership structure that ultimately controls a recipient or subsidiary.
A unique identifier used by the federal government to identify organizations doing business with or receiving awards from the government.
A company or organization that sells goods or services to the government or another organization.
Glossary category
A classification system that groups businesses by industry, commonly used in federal contracting data.
A code from the North American Industry Classification System used to classify businesses according to their primary economic activities.
A standardized system used by the United States, Canada, and Mexico to classify businesses by industry.
The geographic location where the work funded by a federal award is primarily performed.
A federal classification code identifying the type of product or service purchased through a government procurement.
A product and service code used to describe what a federal contract is for.
The reported address or geographic location of the entity receiving a federal award. It may differ from where the funded work actually occurs.
Glossary category
A political committee formally authorized by a candidate to receive contributions or make expenditures on the candidate's behalf.
A political committee other than a principal campaign committee that makes or receives contributions or makes expenditures on behalf of only one candidate. A candidate can be the only committee member. A candidate can only have one candidate committee
A unique identifier assigned by the FEC to a federal candidate.
A unique identifier assigned by the FEC to a registered political committee.
Money, goods, services, or other things of value provided for the purpose of influencing an election, subject to campaign-finance laws and reporting requirements.
Political spending made in cooperation, consultation, or coordination with a candidate or political party and therefore subject to different rules from independent expenditures.
A PAC associated with a corporation, generally funded through voluntary contributions from eligible employees or other permitted individuals rather than directly from the corporation's treasury.
Any purchase, payment, distribution, loan, advance, deposit, or gift of money or anything of value made by a political committee to fulfill its operational goals, campaign activities, or obligations.
The period associated with a particular election, commonly encompassing the primary and general elections for an office.
A political action committee funded primarily through voluntary contributions from eligible employees or members associated with a sponsoring organization.
The independent federal agency responsible for administering and enforcing federal campaign-finance law and publishing federal campaign-finance records.
A political committee that maintains separate accounts for limited contributions used for direct candidate support and unlimited funds used for independent expenditures.
A non-cash contribution of goods, services, property, or other things of value provided to a political campaign or committee.
An expenditure for a communication that expressly advocates the election or defeat of a clearly identified candidate and which is not made in coordination with any candidate or their campaign or political party. Independent expenditures are not subject to any amount limitations but may be subject to reporting requirements.
The formal category commonly known as a Super PAC: a committee that raises funds to make independent expenditures rather than direct contributions to candidates.
A political contribution made by a person rather than by a PAC, party committee, or other organization.
A contribution reported individually because it meets applicable disclosure requirements.
A political committee that is directly or indirectly established, financed, maintained, or controlled by a candidate or an individual holding federal office, but is not an authorized committee of the candidate or officeholder and is not affiliated with an authorized committee of a candidate or officeholder.
A political committee established or controlled by a federal candidate or officeholder that is separate from the person's principal campaign committee and often contributes to other candidates.
A political committee affiliated with a political party at the national, state, or local level.
A political committee that raises and spends money to influence elections, subject to rules that depend on the type and structure of the committee.
An organization that raises or spends money to influence elections and meets legal requirements for registration and reporting under campaign-finance law.
Money or another reportable form of value received by a political committee.
The detailed, itemized record of a political committee's spending that must be disclosed to the Federal Election Commission (FEC) once payments to a specific vendor or payee exceed $200 within a calendar year or election cycle.
The section of an FEC report used to disclose itemized receipts, including many contributions received by political committees.
The section of an FEC report used to disclose itemized disbursements made by political committees.
a political committee established, administered, or financially supported by a corporation or labor organization, popularly called a Corporate or Labor PAC. The term "financially supported" does not include contributions to the SSF, but does include the payment of establishment, administration, or solicitation costs
An independent-expenditure-only political committee that may raise unlimited amounts of money but cannot legally coordinate its independent spending with candidates or their campaigns.
Glossary category
A tax-exempt social-welfare organization that may engage in certain political activities as long as political activity is not its primary purpose under applicable tax rules.
A tax-exempt political organization created primarily to influence elections, nominations, appointments, or similar political processes.
Political spending by organizations that are not required to publicly disclose all of the original sources of their funding.
Certain broadcast, cable, or satellite communications that refer to a clearly identified federal candidate shortly before an election and meet federal statutory requirements.
Political communication focused primarily on policies or issues rather than explicitly advocating the election or defeat of a candidate.
Political spending intended to influence elections that is made independently of candidates' official campaign committees.
Glossary category
An employee who lobbies government officials on behalf of their own employer rather than outside clients.
Efforts to influence government decisions, legislation, regulations, policies, or other official actions through communication with public officials or their staff.
The organization or entity that hires or employs lobbyists to advocate on its behalf.
The federal law establishing registration and reporting requirements for many professional lobbyists and lobbying organizations.
A business or organization that provides lobbying services to clients.
Income reported by a lobbying firm for lobbying services performed on behalf of clients.
A policy area, bill, regulation, or other government matter identified in a lobbying disclosure as a subject of lobbying activity.
The person or organization registered under federal lobbying disclosure law to conduct lobbying activities.
A disclosure filed under federal lobbying law reporting information such as clients, lobbying issues, government bodies contacted, and lobbying income or expenses.
Money reported as being spent on lobbying activities. It is distinct from campaign contributions made to candidates or political committees.
A person paid to engage in lobbying activities and who meets applicable legal thresholds for registration or disclosure.
Movement of individuals between government positions and jobs in industries, lobbying firms, contractors, advocacy organizations, or other entities that may have interests affected by government decisions.
Glossary category
An annual report filed by many publicly traded companies with the SEC containing detailed information about the company's business, risks, finances, and operations.
A quarterly report filed by many publicly traded companies with the SEC containing updated financial and operational information.
A report filed by public companies to disclose certain significant events that occur between regular quarterly or annual reports.
A person or entity that ultimately owns, controls, or benefits from an asset or ownership interest, even when another name appears as the formal owner.
The Securities and Exchange Commission's electronic database for accessing corporate filings and other securities disclosures.
A transaction in which companies combine their businesses or ownership structures.
A company whose ownership interests are not publicly traded and that generally faces fewer public financial disclosure requirements than a public company.
A disclosure sent to shareholders before certain votes that often contains information about executive compensation, company leadership, ownership, and corporate governance.
A company whose securities are publicly traded and that is generally subject to federal securities disclosure requirements.
A document submitted to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission under federal securities laws.
The federal agency responsible for administering and enforcing federal securities laws and overseeing much of the U.S. securities market.
Glossary category
A proposed change to a bill, resolution, or other legislative text.
A proposed law introduced in either the House of Representatives or Senate.
A group of members of the House or Senate responsible for reviewing legislation and conducting oversight within particular policy areas.
A member of Congress's formal membership on a congressional committee or subcommittee.
A member of Congress who formally adds their support to legislation introduced by another member.
The status of legislation that has completed the required legislative process and become law.
A bill introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives.
A legislative measure that generally requires passage by both chambers and the president's signature to become law, with certain constitutional exceptions.
A general term for bills, resolutions, amendments, and other legislative measures considered by Congress.
A committee meeting in which members debate, amend, and vote on proposed legislation before deciding whether to advance it.
A vote against the question, motion, amendment, or legislation being considered.
A designation indicating that a member did not cast a recorded vote on a particular roll call.
A recorded vote in which the position of each participating member is individually documented.
A bill introduced in the U.S. Senate.
The member of Congress who formally introduces a bill or resolution.
A smaller division of a congressional committee focused on a narrower set of issues or responsibilities.
The president's rejection of legislation passed by Congress. Congress may override a veto with the constitutionally required supermajority in both chambers.
A vote conducted by members verbally responding in favor or opposition without necessarily recording each member's individual position.
A vote in favor of the question, motion, amendment, or legislation being considered.
Glossary category
A classification historically used by the Department of Defense to categorize acquisition programs based on factors such as cost and oversight requirements.
A company or organization that supplies goods or services to the Department of Defense or other government entities involved in national defense.
The network of companies, facilities, workers, technologies, and suppliers that provide goods and services supporting U.S. defense activities.
An organization sponsored by the federal government to provide specialized research, development, engineering, or analytical capabilities that meet long-term government needs.
A facility owned by the government but operated by a private company under contract.
A large Department of Defense acquisition program that meets statutory cost thresholds or is specially designated because of its significance.
Develops and manages the Navy's communications, cybersecurity, networking, satellite, and information technology systems. It supports secure communications and digital infrastructure across naval operations.
The Navy organization responsible for designing, acquiring, maintaining, and modernizing ships, submarines, and many naval weapons systems. NAVSEA is one of the largest contracting organizations within the Department of the Navy and oversees billions of dollars in contracts each year.
Manages the Navy's supply chain and logistics. It purchases and distributes equipment, spare parts, fuel, food, and other materials needed to support Navy operations around the world.
A defense organization responsible for overseeing a portfolio of related acquisition programs.
A team within a government agency responsible for managing a specific project or acquisition program. Program offices oversee contracts, budgets, schedules, and the development of individual weapons systems, technologies, or services.
The Navy organization responsible for the nation's sea-based nuclear deterrent. It manages the development, maintenance, and modernization of the Trident ballistic missile system used aboard ballistic missile submarines.
A large Navy organization responsible for developing, buying, maintaining, and supporting specific types of military equipment throughout their entire life cycle. Rather than conducting military operations, Systems Commands oversee engineering, procurement, testing, repairs, and contracts.
Glossary category
Assistance provided directly by one government to another country or through programs focused on a particular recipient country.
The Department of Defense agency that administers and oversees many U.S. security cooperation and security assistance programs, including Foreign Military Sales.
Longer-term assistance intended to support economic development, public health, governance, education, infrastructure, or other development goals.
Sales of U.S. defense articles or services made directly by U.S. companies to foreign customers under government licensing requirements.
A broad term for government resources provided to foreign countries or populations, including economic, humanitarian, development, and security assistance.
Resources provided by the U.S. government to foreign countries, organizations, or programs for humanitarian, development, economic, security, or other purposes.
U.S. government financing provided to eligible foreign governments to purchase U.S. defense articles, services, and training.
A government-to-government program through which the United States sells defense articles, services, and training to foreign governments and international organizations.
Aid intended to address urgent human needs resulting from conflict, disaster, displacement, food insecurity, or other crises.
An organization that receives or administers funding to carry out a foreign-assistance program or project.
Aid intended to support the military or defense capabilities of a foreign country or partner.
Assistance provided through international institutions or organizations supported by multiple countries.
U.S. government programs that provide defense-related resources, training, equipment, financing, or other support to foreign partners.
The U.S. Agency for International Development, a federal agency responsible for administering many U.S. development and humanitarian assistance programs.
Glossary category
An Application Programming Interface, a system that allows software to automatically request and exchange structured information with another service or database.
The original database, agency, filing system, document collection, or other source from which information is obtained.
A structured collection of related information organized for storage, analysis, or publication.
The process of determining whether records containing different names, spellings, identifiers, or subsidiaries refer to the same underlying person or organization.
A code or value used to uniquely distinguish a person, organization, award, committee, contract, or other record from similar entities.
An original record or document providing direct evidence, such as a government filing, contract record, congressional vote, financial disclosure, or corporate filing.
Information created, maintained, filed, or disclosed by a government body and made available to the public under applicable laws or disclosure systems.
The span of time covered by a particular filing, report, or dataset.
A source that analyzes, summarizes, interprets, or reports information originally obtained from other records or sources.
Data showing individual financial or administrative actions rather than only aggregated totals.
Glossary category
A designation indicating that a claim or relationship is directly supported by reliable evidence or authoritative records.
A connection between companies or organizations based on ownership, control, affiliation, joint ventures, or another documented corporate structure.
A designation indicating that a claim or relationship is supported by multiple independent sources or pieces of evidence.
A designation indicating that credible sources disagree about the accuracy, interpretation, or significance of a claim.
A documented connection between people or organizations involving payments, contributions, contracts, investments, funding, or another transfer of financial value.
A designation indicating that a relationship or conclusion has been derived from available evidence rather than explicitly stated in a primary source.
A documented connection involving political contributions, campaign activity, lobbying, government service, political appointments, or other political activity.
A documented connection between people or organizations arising from employment, board membership, consulting, representation, or another professional role.
A designation indicating that a claim has been published or stated by a cited source but has not necessarily been independently verified by The Paper Trail Project.
A designation indicating that available information suggests a possible claim or relationship but the evidence is not sufficient to treat it as established fact.
A relationship for which The Paper Trail Project has identified sufficient reliable evidence to treat the connection as established.