FPDS Query Library
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Inherently Governmental Function Description

Human-readable text describing the related inherently governmental function code on an award record. This field is the label/description side of the coded FPDS value, used to spell out the function classification in plain language.

Family: Award
Category: Contract Data
Data Type: string
Semantic Type: description
Mapping: flattened_fpds_xml_field
AI Confidence: high

Variable Overview

FPDS Query Variable
content__award__contractData__inherentlyGovernmentalFunction__description
Title
Inherently Governmental Function Description
FPDS Path
award/contractData/inherentlyGovernmentalFunction/description
Description
Human-readable text describing the related inherently governmental function code on an award record. This field is the label/description side of the coded FPDS value, used to spell out the function classification in plain language.
Business Meaning
It helps analysts understand whether the awarded work may involve inherently governmental activities, which are restricted and sensitive in federal procurement. The description supports review of contract oversight, compliance, and sourcing decisions by making the coded classification interpretable without decoding abbreviations or source codes.
Example Value
OTHER FUNCTIONS
Observed Non-Null Count
12,898,040

FPDS Compare

FPDS Query Variable
content__award__contractData__inherentlyGovernmentalFunction__description
FPDS XML Path
award/contractData/inherentlyGovernmentalFunction/description
Mapping Type
flattened_fpds_xml_field
Comparison Summary
FPDS Query flattens the original nested FPDS XML path 'award/contractData/inherentlyGovernmentalFunction/description' into the SQL-ready variable 'content__award__contractData__inherentlyGovernmentalFunction__description'.

Use Cases

  • Dictionary lookup and field explanation
  • SQL filtering and grouping
  • Analytical reporting and reusable query building

Common Usage

  • Interpreting the inherently governmental function classification on an award
  • Validating code-to-description mappings in FPDS extracts
  • Filtering awards for oversight or compliance review

Common Mistakes

  • Using the description alone as if it were the controlling data element
  • Assuming different text spellings indicate different policy meanings

Query Guidance

Use this field for display, grouping, or validation of the paired code field. In SQL, join or select it alongside the coded inherently governmental function element, and prefer the code for filtering while using the description for labels, audits, and data quality checks.

SQL Examples

Preview values

SELECT
    content__award__contractData__inherentlyGovernmentalFunction__description AS inherently_governmental_function_description
FROM fpds.data
WHERE content__award__contractData__inherentlyGovernmentalFunction__description IS NOT NULL
LIMIT 25

Top values

SELECT
    content__award__contractData__inherentlyGovernmentalFunction__description AS value,
    count() AS record_count
FROM fpds.data
WHERE content__award__contractData__inherentlyGovernmentalFunction__description IS NOT NULL
GROUP BY value
ORDER BY record_count DESC
LIMIT 25

Each dictionary item includes SQL-ready examples generated alongside the variable metadata, allowing immediate use in FPDS Query for filtering, aggregation, and analysis.