Acquisition
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.
Reference
Glossary
A simple reference for the terms that show up throughout the site and in federal spending data.
Appropriation
Money that Congress authorizes a federal agency to spend for a specific purpose.
Assistance Award
Federal financial support such as grants, loans, or cooperative agreements rather than contracts.
Award ID
A unique identifier assigned to a federal award for tracking purposes.
Base Award
The original contract or award before any later changes or modifications.
Budget Authority
The legal authority provided by Congress that allows a federal agency to commit federal funds.
Contracting Office
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.
Cooperative Agreement
A type of federal award similar to a grant, except the government expects to be substantially involved in the project.
Direct Payment
Money paid directly by the federal government to an individual or organization.
Grant
Federal funding provided to support a public purpose without purchasing goods or services directly.
Loan Guarantee
A federal promise to repay part of a private loan if the borrower defaults.
Naval Information Warfare Systems Command (NAVWAR)
Develops and manages the Navy's communications, cybersecurity, networking, satellite, and information technology systems. It supports secure communications and digital infrastructure across naval operations.
Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA)
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.
Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP)
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.
Period of Performance
The time during which work under a contract or grant is expected to be completed.
Program Office
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.
Recipient
The individual, company, nonprofit, university, or government entity receiving federal funds.
Recipient UEI
The Unique Entity Identifier assigned to organizations that receive federal awards.
SAM.gov
The federal government's registration system for organizations that want to do business with the government.
Strategic Systems Programs (SSP)
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.
Subaward
Federal funding passed from a prime recipient to another organization to carry out part of the work.
Subrecipient
An organization that receives federal money indirectly through another recipient.
Systems Command (SYSCOM)
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.
Award
A financial commitment or agreement made by the federal government to provide money to a recipient for a defined purpose.
Contract
A legally binding agreement under which a company or organization provides goods or services to the government.
Obligation
A promise by the government to spend money in the future; it is not the same thing as cash already paid out.
Outlay
Actual money that has been paid out by the government.
PIID
A procurement identifier used to track a specific federal contract or award.
NAICS
A classification system that groups businesses by industry, commonly used in federal contracting data.
PSC
A product and service code used to describe what a federal contract is for.
Awarding Agency
The federal office or department that made the award decision.
Funding Agency
The federal office or department that provided the money for the award.
Prime Recipient
The main organization that received the award directly from the government.
Government-Owned Contractor-Operated Facility
A facility owned by the government but operated by a private company under contract.