FPDS Query Library
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Reason for Modification Description

Human-readable text that explains the reason a contract modification was made. It is the descriptive companion to the coded "Reason for Modification" field and should be read as the label or explanation attached to that code.

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

Variable Overview

FPDS Query Variable
content__IDV__contractData__reasonForModification__description
Title
Reason for Modification Description
FPDS Path
IDV/contractData/reasonForModification/description
Description
Human-readable text that explains the reason a contract modification was made. It is the descriptive companion to the coded "Reason for Modification" field and should be read as the label or explanation attached to that code.
Business Meaning
This field helps analysts understand why an IDV was modified, which is important for tracking contract lifecycle changes, administrative actions, scope adjustments, and corrective actions. It supports more accurate reporting than the code alone because the description often clarifies the underlying procurement event.
Example Value
LEGAL CONTRACT CANCELLATION
Observed Non-Null Count
3,605,079

FPDS Compare

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

Use Cases

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

Common Usage

  • Interpreting why an IDV modification occurred
  • Grouping modification records by human-readable reason
  • Validating coded reason values against their descriptions

Common Mistakes

  • Using the description as if it were the authoritative code
  • Assuming identical text always means identical procurement action across agencies

Query Guidance

Select this field alongside the paired reason code when analyzing modifications. In SQL, filter or group on the code for consistency, and use the description for display, validation, or exception checks; when descriptions vary in wording, normalize them only after confirming they map to the same underlying code.

SQL Examples

Preview values

SELECT
    content__IDV__contractData__reasonForModification__description AS reason_for_modification_description
FROM fpds.data
WHERE content__IDV__contractData__reasonForModification__description IS NOT NULL
LIMIT 25

Top values

SELECT
    content__IDV__contractData__reasonForModification__description AS value,
    count() AS record_count
FROM fpds.data
WHERE content__IDV__contractData__reasonForModification__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.