GSA Launches Data Federation

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The General Services Admninistration (GSA) has launched the U.S. Data Federation a new effort that will support government-wide data standardization and data federation initiatives across both Federal agencies and local governments. The GSA says that the Federation is designed to build on the work already done through websites like data.gov and is part of the GSA’s open government plan.

GSA launched data.gov in 2009 with 47 datasets and has since worked with agencies and the White House to expand the catalog to nearly 200,000 datasets across more than 70 agencies.

“Promoting open data not only improves transparency and innovation throughout the government, it makes us more efficient and breaks down the silos, allowing us to deliver better products and services to the American people,” said U.S. General Services Administrator Denise Turner Roth. “The U.S. Data Federation is one of many initiatives the Obama Administration has launched to support government-wide data standardization, and GSA is proud to be at the forefront of this critical effort to promote open data across all levels of government.”

As part of the U.S. Data Federation, GSA will also pilot the development of reusable components needed for a successful data federation strategy including schema documentation tools, schema validation tools, and automated data aggregation and normalization capabilities.

The portal also has areas for Open311 projects, building and land development and national information exchange models.