As of 2024USASpending.gov
Detailed Answer
USASpending data has predictable but varying timing:
**Typical timeline:**
- Contract award executed
- Agency reports to FPDS within 3 days (requirement)
- FPDS data flows to USASpending
- Appears on USASpending within 30-90 days
**Why delays occur:**
- Agency reporting backlog
- Data validation issues
- System synchronization timing
- End of fiscal year volume
- Contract complexity
**What appears first:**
- Basic award information
- Contractor name and amount
- Awarding agency
- Contract type
**What takes longer:**
- Full obligation history
- Sub-award information
- Complete transaction details
- Linked spending data
**For most current data:**
- Check SAM.gov contract data directly
- Access FPDS-NG for detailed records
- USASpending aggregates multiple sources
- Agency-specific systems may be faster
**Monitoring new awards:**
- Set up SAM.gov alerts
- Check FPDS for recent awards
- Review agency award announcements
- USASpending good for trends, not breaking news
**Data quality:**
- Generally accurate but not real-time
- Some corrections occur after initial posting
- Verify critical data through primary sources
- Historical data more complete than recent
