FPDS Query Library
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Generic String08

A free-text generic string attribute stored under the Other Transaction IDV generic tags section. It is an auxiliary data element whose meaning depends on how the awarding agency populated the record, rather than a standardized FPDS business field.

Family: Other Transaction IDV
Category: Generic Tags
Data Type: string
Semantic Type: attribute
Mapping: flattened_fpds_xml_field
AI Confidence: high

Variable Overview

FPDS Query Variable
content__OtherTransactionIDV__genericTags__genericStrings__genericString08
Title
Generic String08
FPDS Path
OtherTransactionIDV/genericTags/genericStrings/genericString08
Description
A free-text generic string attribute stored under the Other Transaction IDV generic tags section. It is an auxiliary data element whose meaning depends on how the awarding agency populated the record, rather than a standardized FPDS business field.
Business Meaning
This field can carry agency-specific text used to support filtering, grouping, or custom reporting in procurement analysis workflows. It may capture metadata that helps distinguish awards, track internal categorizations, or preserve supplemental context not represented by core FPDS fields.
Example Value
Example value

FPDS Compare

FPDS Query Variable
content__OtherTransactionIDV__genericTags__genericStrings__genericString08
FPDS XML Path
OtherTransactionIDV/genericTags/genericStrings/genericString08
Mapping Type
flattened_fpds_xml_field
Comparison Summary
FPDS Query flattens the original nested FPDS XML path 'OtherTransactionIDV/genericTags/genericStrings/genericString08' into the SQL-ready variable 'content__OtherTransactionIDV__genericTags__genericStrings__genericString08'.

Use Cases

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

Common Usage

  • Agency-specific tagging for internal analysis
  • Custom grouping in reusable reports
  • Supplemental text filtering when no standard field exists

Common Mistakes

  • Assuming the value has a government-wide standard meaning
  • Using it as a coded field without validating observed text patterns

Query Guidance

Use exact-match, LIKE, or normalization logic only after profiling distinct values and frequency. In SQL, filter cautiously with TRIM/UPPER if needed, and join or pivot it only when agency-specific documentation confirms the business meaning; otherwise treat it as descriptive text rather than a reliable categorical attribute.

SQL Examples

Preview values

SELECT
    content__OtherTransactionIDV__genericTags__genericStrings__genericString08 AS generic_string08
FROM fpds.data
WHERE content__OtherTransactionIDV__genericTags__genericStrings__genericString08 IS NOT NULL
LIMIT 25

Top values

SELECT
    content__OtherTransactionIDV__genericTags__genericStrings__genericString08 AS value,
    count() AS record_count
FROM fpds.data
WHERE content__OtherTransactionIDV__genericTags__genericStrings__genericString08 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.