FPDS Query Library
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Performance Based Service Contract Description

Human-readable description corresponding to the coded Performance Based Service Contract indicator in the award record. It stores the text label or explanation for whether performance-based service contracting was used, rather than the underlying code alone.

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__performanceBasedServiceContract__description
Title
Performance Based Service Contract Description
FPDS Path
award/contractData/performanceBasedServiceContract/description
Description
Human-readable description corresponding to the coded Performance Based Service Contract indicator in the award record. It stores the text label or explanation for whether performance-based service contracting was used, rather than the underlying code alone.
Business Meaning
This field helps analysts interpret performance-based service contract reporting in procurement data without relying on abbreviated or coded values. It supports compliance, policy, and spend analyses where distinguishing performance-based service contracts from other service acquisitions is important.
Example Value
NO - SERVICE WHERE PBA IS NOT USED.
Observed Non-Null Count
111,509,025

FPDS Compare

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

Use Cases

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

Common Usage

  • Interpreting the coded performance-based service contract flag
  • Validating whether a contract was reported as performance-based
  • Labeling reports and QA checks for service contracting compliance

Common Mistakes

  • Using the description field as a boolean or categorical filter instead of the code field
  • Assuming the text is standardized when source values may vary in wording

Query Guidance

Join or compare this field with the paired performance-based service contract code field when classifying awards. In SQL, use it primarily for display, QA, and text-based validation; if filtering on semantics, prefer the coded field and only fall back to LIKE or pattern checks when necessary.

SQL Examples

Preview values

SELECT
    content__award__contractData__performanceBasedServiceContract__description AS performance_based_service_contract_description
FROM fpds.data
WHERE content__award__contractData__performanceBasedServiceContract__description IS NOT NULL
LIMIT 25

Top values

SELECT
    content__award__contractData__performanceBasedServiceContract__description AS value,
    count() AS record_count
FROM fpds.data
WHERE content__award__contractData__performanceBasedServiceContract__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.