A relaunched Recovery.gov, went live earlier today with a host of new features designed to improve transparency of data and prevent and stop potential waste and fraud. The really important stuff, the recipient data, however, will not be available until Oct 15. Nevertheless there is some great new features including:
- New Mapping Tool – The maps are done very well with the ability to enter a zip code and get details of nearby contracts, grants and loans
- Download Center – This area allows users can download agency reporting data (and eventually recipient data). Data relating to contracts, grants and loans can be downloaded in XML and Excel formats.
Overall, the site looks a lot better and more interactive than its previous incarnation. It pulls together spending data from federal agencies, recipients of stimulus money and from FPDS.gov and USASpending.gov. The real transparency starts, however, when it begins posting data reported to FederalReporting.gov. Stimulus recipients must start submitting reports here next month.
While there has been some disappointment with different site features and its move away from the Drupal platform, it’s nonetheless a highly interactive and polished site.
For more on the site relaunch listen to the interview with Earl Devaney – Chairman of the Recovery, Accountability and Transparency Board on Federal News Radio.
