The Data Foundation's June 2018 report "Transforming Federal Grant Reporting: Current Challenge, Future Vision" features the DSFederal-developed Common Data Elements Repository (CDER) Library. With extensive research and expert input, the authors conclude that Federal grants reporting will soon undergo "a major transformation." Citing the "incredible amount of deviation and complexity" in terms used throughout the grants reporting landscape, the authors note that CDER Library, with over 26,000 data elements (soon to increase to well over 35,000 in Phase VII) is "seen as merely a starting point." DSFederal CEO Sophia Parker, Vice President for Management Solutions Dianne Welsh, Director of Enterprise Information Solutions Thiagarajan Prakash, and Project Manager Echo Wang were all interviewed for this report.
DSFederal began supporting DATA Act implementation in 2014, developing the CDER Library Web Application for HHS’s Assistant Secretary for Financial Resources (ASFR). As the project has expanded, we have increased our focus on data standardization and open data to improve government-business and government-citizen interactions. CEO Sophia Parker writes “We are proud of our long-standing commitment to and early involvement in the movement toward open data in government. As we continue working to enhance the CDER Library, and gain new insights through our membership in the Data Coalition, we will be poised to offer deep expertise and true thought leadership for agencies seeking to improve transparency and accountability through open data.”