Commercial Data / Commercial Datasets

Request for Information / Sources Sought Notice

This Sources Sought Notice (SSN) supports market research by the U.S. Census Bureau (USCB) to identify potential sources for acquiring commercial data. The information gathered will inform future acquisition efforts for all types of commercial data (Part A) and a near-term requirement for commercial voter registration data (Part B). This is not a Request for Proposal (RFP) or solicitation, and the government does not intend to award a contract based solely on this market research.

The USCB uses administrative records and third-party data to improve the efficiency and quality of its statistical programs. This SSN aims to establish enterprise-wide vehicles for commercial data acquisition, standardize processes, and achieve objectives such as acquiring data as an enterprise, providing shared access, and promoting standardized data delivery.

The USCB's data needs encompass commercially available data within general subject areas detailed in Attachment 1 - Data Matrix. Additional requirements may be identified later.

The USCB is seeking companies that currently produce and maintain commercial datasets. Firms providing data analysis, data science, or staffing services are not being sought at this time.

Vendors are asked to submit information in two parts:

Part A: Company Overview & Data Capabilities

• Section I: Company Information: Name, address, Cage Code/UEI, point of contact details, company webpage, relevant contract vehicles (GSA FSS, GWACs, IDIQs), and a brief narrative.

• Section II: Data Delivery Capabilities and Experience: Describe company offerings and datasets. Vendors must complete "Attachment 01 - Data Matrix." Specific questions cover:

  • Role in data creation/resale (original provider, reseller, aggregator).
  • Data collection methods.
  • Metadata for data categories.
  • Ability to link multiple datasets.
  • Current (last 3 years) experience with commercial/government customers (including contract details, data category, description, period of performance, contract value).
  • Information on data restrictions (redistribution, modification, use limitations, IP rights).
  • Additional data offerings outside requested categories.

• Section III: Enterprise Acquisition Recommendations: Industry input is requested on:

  • Acquisition models (direct from provider vs. broker/aggregator), including advantages, disadvantages, pricing, licensing, privacy, data quality, and risks.
  • Unique pricing considerations and arrangements (subscription, license, API).
  • Unique commercial terms and conditions.
  • Government rights upon contract expiration.
  • Sub-contracting opportunities for small businesses.

• The USCB is seeking information on companies capable of meeting requirements in "Attachment 02 - DRAFT VOTER REGISTRATION DATA TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS."

• Important Note: The USCB cannot ingest voter activity data that reveals party affiliation, political preference, ideology, or specific voting selections. Data reporting on individual primaries, special elections, exit-polls, or non-general elections must be removed prior to delivery.

• Vendors should describe their voter registration data holdings and how they meet USCB requirements, including any data not currently "in-house" and acquisition strategies. Feedback on draft requirements and potential risks is also requested.

• Due Date: Tuesday, March 24, 2026, by 03:00 PM EST.

• Format: Microsoft Word or Office-compatible.

• Submission: Email to Kristina.D.Hartman@census.gov and Harjot.Kaur@census.gov.

• Page Limit: 12 pages.

• Proprietary Information: Must be minimized and clearly marked. All submissions become Government property.

• Attachment 01 - DATA MATRIX

• Attachment 02 - DRAFT VOTER REGISTRATION DATA TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS

Request for Information / Sources Sought Notice

This Sources Sought Notice (SSN) is for market research by the U.S. Census Bureau (USCB) to identify potential sources for commercial data. The information gathered will inform future acquisition efforts for all types of commercial data (Part A) and a near-term requirement for commercial voter registration data (Part B). This is NOT a solicitation, and no contract will be awarded based solely on this market research.

The USCB is mandated to acquire and use administrative records and third-party data to efficiently conduct censuses and surveys. They seek to increase the use of such data to improve the quality of programs like the Decennial Census and the American Community Survey. The USCB aims to establish enterprise-wide vehicles for commercial data acquisition to standardize and streamline processes, reduce duplication, and maximize value.

The USCB's data needs encompass commercially available data within general subject areas identified in Attachment 1 - Data Matrix. Additional requirements may be identified later. The USCB is specifically seeking companies with expertise in producing and maintaining commercial datasets, NOT firms providing data analysis, data science, or staffing services.

Interested companies should submit responses in two parts:

Part A – Commercial Data Requirements:

• Company Overview: Name, address, UEI, points of contact, webpage, relevant contract vehicles (GSA FSS, GWACs, IDIQs), and a brief company narrative.
• Data Delivery Capabilities and Experience: Description of available commercial data/datasets, how data is collected, metadata, linkage keys, and current (last 3 years) experience with commercial or government customers. This section requires completion of "Attachment 01 - Data Matrix".
• Enterprise Acquisition Recommendations: Industry input on acquiring commercial data, including advantages/disadvantages of direct acquisition vs. broker/aggregator, pricing considerations, licensing terms, data rights, privacy compliance, data quality, and risks.

Part B - Upcoming Opportunities - Voter Registration Data Acquisition:

• Companies capable of meeting requirements in "Attachment 02 - DRAFT VOTER REGISTRATION DATA TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS" for voter registration data.

• Vendors must note that the USCB cannot ingest voter activity data revealing party affiliation, political preference, ideology, or specific candidate/party selections. Such data must be removed prior to delivery.

• Respondents should indicate if they possess the required voter registration data "in-house" or how it would be acquired, and provide feedback on draft requirements and potential risks.

• Deadline: Tuesday, March 24, 2026, by 03:00 PM EST.

• Format: Microsoft Word or Office-compatible.

• Length: Limited to 12 pages.

• Submission: Via email to Kristina Hartman (Contracting Officer) and Harjot Kaur (Contract Specialist).

• Proprietary Information: Must be minimized and clearly marked.

• Attachments: Attachment 01 - DATA MATRIX, Attachment 02 - DRAFT VOTER REGISTRATION DATA TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS.

All submissions become Government property and will not be returned.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document outlines the draft technical requirements for voter registration data. It is intended to inform potential vendors about the data elements and specifications required for acquiring voter registration data. It explicitly states that this document is NOT a draft or formal Request for Proposal (RFP).

• Background: Explains the Census Bureau's need for administrative records to enhance programs, reduce respondent burden, and improve survey/census efficiency, particularly for the 2030 Census.
• Technical Requirements: Details the specific data elements required, including:
  • Unique Voter ID(s)
  • File Update Information (dates of record access, updates, and address observation)
  • Voter Name Information
  • Voter Demographic Characteristics (gender, age, birthdate, race, ethnicity, language, marital status)
  • Voter Current Residence Address Information
  • Voter Current Mailing Address Information
  • Voter Telephone Contact Information
  • Voter District Information (Congressional, State Senate/House, City, Town, Village, etc.)
  • Voter Behavior Indicators (registration and voting history)
  • Voter Performance Summary Metrics
• Data Handling: Specifies requirements for reporting missing values, imputed fields, and the government's right to request additional fields.
• Deliverables: Outlines the required deliverables, including current year voter registration data files, historical data files (back to 2014), corresponding data dictionaries, and technical support. Data must be delivered in a fixed-length ASCII format via SFTP.

This document is crucial for vendors interested in providing voter registration data. It clearly defines the scope of data required, the technical specifications for data files and dictionaries, and the expected deliverables. Bidders must pay close attention to the data elements, formatting requirements, and the explicit exclusion of voter activity data that could reveal party affiliation or specific voting choices.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a data matrix provided by the United States Census Bureau for a Request for Information and Sources Sought Notice. It serves to collect information from potential vendors regarding the data they can provide to the Census Bureau.

The matrix outlines various categories of data the Census Bureau is interested in, including:

• Address-Level Housing Data
• Geographic Data
• Marina Data
• Puerto Rico and Island Data
• Contact Information Data (Individual and Business-level)
• Education Data
• Group Quarters Data
• Voter Registration Data
• Driver's License and Real ID Data
• Industry Data
• Business Sales and Inventory Data
• Business Characteristic Data
• Business-Level Construction Data
• Healthcare Data
• Commercial Medical Data

For each data category, vendors are asked to provide details on availability, specific data elements, data origination, value-added services, recency and update frequency, inclusion of PII/BII, utility, accessibility, and delivery methods.

This document is crucial for potential vendors responding to the RFI/Sources Sought. It clearly defines the types of data the Census Bureau is seeking, allowing vendors to assess their capabilities and determine if they can meet the Bureau's needs. Vendors should use this matrix to structure their responses, detailing their offerings against each specified data category.

Other / Unclassified

This document is a "Justification for Other than Full and Open Competition" for the U.S. Census Bureau (USCB). It outlines the rationale for procuring "Places and Spend Commercial Data" from SafeGraph, LLC on a sole-source basis. The justification cites "Unusual and compelling urgency" and "statutory authority" (41 U.S.C. 1901 and 41 U.S.C. 3304(a)(2)) as the basis for this approach.

The USCB requires this data to support its economic indicators and statistical products. The document highlights the importance of timely, high-value alternative data for producing key economic indicators, including the Advanced Monthly Retail Sales Reports, Monthly State Retail Sales Reports, Annual Integrated Economic Surveys, and the Economic Census. The estimated value of the contract is $442,900.00, with a period of performance from January 2, 2026, to December 31, 2026.

Key reasons for the sole-source justification include:

• Urgency due to Government Shutdown: A lapse in appropriations and subsequent government shutdown from October 1, 2025, to November 13, 2025, necessitated the rapid reestablishment of accurate business frames, making immediate access to SafeGraph's data urgent.
• Unique Qualifications: SafeGraph's historical coverage, consistency, and proven ability to deliver timely data are presented as unique qualifications.
• Operational Impact: Without this data, the USCB would face significant financial and operational injury, including a potential 6-month lag in production and degradation of survey sample accuracy.
• Market Research: Market research confirmed SafeGraph, LLC's capability and valid SAM registration, with no other businesses identified as capable of supporting the requirement at this time.

This document is critical for potential bidders as it explains why a specific vendor (SafeGraph) is being selected without full and open competition for a particular data service. It details the urgent need for "Places and Spend Commercial Data" and the potential negative impacts on the USCB's economic statistics if this data is not acquired promptly. Bidders interested in providing similar data services should note the specific circumstances (government shutdown, urgency, unique vendor capabilities) that led to this sole-source justification and may inform future procurement strategies or opportunities.