23.

U.S. – Department of State

Fair

OVERVIEW

Have they met the Busan commitment on aid transparency? No.

The U.S. Department of State is responsible for the implementation of U.S. foreign policy and supports U.S foreign assistance programs including those of USAID and PEPFAR. It leads on the design and implementation of the Foreign Assistance Dashboard (foreignassistance.gov).

ANALYSIS

Achievements and progress

State has improved by 15% points relative to the 2014 Index, seeing it rise from the ‘poor’ to the ‘fair’ category.
State publishes a full organisation file in the IATI Standard.
Since the 2015 U.S. Aid Transparency Review, State added seven new activity-level indicators in the IATI Standard (actual dates; aid type; collaboration type; finance type; flow type; tied aid status; implementer) and three new organisation-level indicators (procurement policy; annual report; country strategy).
At the end of 2015, State released its Foreign Assistance Data Review, a roadmap to an integrated system solution to improve the Department’s ability to track and report on its foreign assistance programs and funds.

Challenges and room for improvement

Fifteen out of the twenty-eight activity-level indicators are not currently published in the IATI Standard.
State does not score on twelve of these indicators. Titles and descriptions are not published.
Planned dates are no longer published to the IATI Registry.
For all U.S. agencies, aid data is published only quarterly to the IATI Registry.

RECOMMENDATIONS

State should prioritize the quality of its data starting with titles and descriptions.
State should aim for monthly publication to the IATI Registry and ensure that its new system developed under the FADR includes State’s publications to the IATI Registry.
State should develop a plan for the internal use of its IATI data and plan for systematic outreach to stakeholders and local partners to use the data.

DONOR PROFILE

2016 Index Score:

Fair

53.9%

2014 Index Score:

Poor

38.8%

2013 Index Score:

Poor

22.1%

First published to IATI:

June 2014

Download profile as PDF
View donor progress over time

INDICATOR SCORING

TOTAL

53.9%

SECTION A

COMMITMENT TO
AID TRANSPARENCY:

6.58/10

SECTION B

PUBLICATION
ORGANISATION LEVEL:

21.49/25

SECTION C

PUBLICATION
ACTIVITY LEVEL:

25.78/65

Commitment

1. FOIA

2. Implementation Schedules

3. Accessibility

Publication Status

Source

http://new.rti-rating.org/country-data

Comments

Global RTI rating score of 89. Score conversion from total score on Global RTI rating to Index points done using the following scale: 1 - 60: 33 61- 90: 66 91 - 150: 100

Click here to view history

1. FOIA

Stage

Status

Format

Source

Comments

http://new.rti-rating.org/country-data

Global RTI rating score of 89. Score conversion from total score on Global RTI rating to Index points done using the Expand...following scale: 1 - 60: 33 61- 90: 66 91 - 150: 100

http://new.rti-rating.org/country-data

Global RTI rating score of 89. Score conversion from total score on Global RTI rating to Index points done using the Expand...following scale: 1 - 60: 33 61- 90: 66 91 - 150: 100

Publication Status

Source

http://tracker.publishwhatyoufund.org/plan/organisations/

Comments

Based on total score received on Publish What You Fund's analysis of Common Standard/IATI implementation schedules.

Click here to view history

2. Implementation schedules

Stage

Status

Format

Source

Comments

http://tracker.publishwhatyoufund.org/plan/organisations/

Based on total score received on Publish What You Fund's analysis of Common Standard/IATI implementation schedules.

http://tracker.publishwhatyoufund.org/plan/organisations/

Based on total score received on Publish What You Fund's analysis of Common Standard/IATI implementation schedules.

Publication Status

Source

No data available.

Comments

The portal scores on all three criteria.

Click here to view history

3. Accessibility

Stage

Status

Format

Source

Comments

http://beta.foreignassistance.gov/agencies/DoS

Portals are scored using three criteria: 1) the portal allows free, bulk export of data; 2) it contains detailed disaggregated data; Expand...3) the data is published under an open licence. FA.gov scores for detailed dissaggregated data and bulk export. No open license could be found.

http://beta.foreignassistance.gov/agencies/DoS

The U.S. Government uses something broader than an Open License, they use license-free and in the public domain. This will be Expand...updated this fall/winter.

http://beta.foreignassistance.gov/agencies/DoS

All updates made before this final pull of data on the 15th January will be taken into account for the 2016 Index.

Open License language is included on the bottom of the homepage. U.S. agencies should receive full credit for this indicator.

The portal scores on all three criteria.

Planning

Financial

4. Organisation Strategy

5. Annual Report

6. Allocation Policy

7. Procurement Policy

8. Country Strategy

9. Total Budget

10. Disaggregated Budgets

11. Audit

Publication Status

IATI

Data quality: 100%

Publication Status

IATI

Data quality: 100%

Publication Status

IATI

Data quality: 100%

Publication Status

IATI

Data quality: 100%

Publication Status

IATI

Data quality: 40.69%

Publication Status

IATI

Data quality: 33.33%

Publication Status

IATI

Data quality: 33.33%

Publication Status

IATI

Data quality: 100%

Basic

Classifications

Financial

Performance

12. Implementer

13. Unique ID

14. Title

15. Description

16. Planned Dates

17. Actual Dates

18. Current Status

19. Contact Details

20. Collaboration Type

21. Flow Type

22. Aid Type

23. Finance Type

24. Sector

25. Sub-national Location

26. Tied Aid Status

33. Budget

34. Commitments

35. Disbursements And Expenditure

36. Budget Identifier

37. Results

38. Impact Appraisals

39. Conditions

Publication Status

IATI

Data quality: 100%

Publication Status

IATI

Data quality: 100%

Publication Status

Not Published

Source

No data available.

Comments

This indicator could be found on IATI but failed sampling as the data does not conform to the methodology and IATI standard.

Click here to view history

14. Title

Stage

Status

Format

Source

Comments

Always

Iati

Always

Iati

I may just be unclear on methodology – but I understand survey data is based on random selection of projects from Expand...country receiving most aid (Afghanistan). Titles in data download from FA.gov only provided for activities with location code “Worldwide”; no titles provided for activities coded “Afghanistan.” Not sure this merits “Always published” rating (“systematically & regularly across all activities”); would recommend “Sometimes”

Always

Iati

Always

Iati

Not published

This indicator could be found on IATI but failed sampling as the data does not conform to the methodology and IATI Expand...standard.

Publication Status

Not Published

Source

No data available.

Comments

This indicator could be found on IATI but failed sampling as the data does not conform to the methodology and IATI standard.

Click here to view history

15. Description

Stage

Status

Format

Source

Comments

Always

Iati

Always

Iati

Agree descriptions essentially always published (almost every line in data download has info in “award description” field). Problem: many descriptions Expand...do not comply with either USG standard (OMB 12-01) or PWYF own definition for Description indicator in survey (descriptive text longer than title explaining what activity is … needs to contain minimum 10 words). Eg from Afghanistan activities in data download: “Prog/Dev & Support – Domestic,” “All Other,” “Promote The Rule Of Law”). Disagree that agency merits “always published” rating for info that fails to qualify under survey’s own terms. Recognize that this could be chalked up to a data quality rather than publication deficiency; nevertheless, flagging for your consideration.

Always

Iati

Always

Iati

Not published

This indicator could be found on IATI but failed sampling as the data does not conform to the methodology and IATI Expand...standard.

Publication Status

Always

Source

http://beta.foreignassistance.gov/agencies/DoS

Comments

Available on the Foreign Assistance dashboard.

Click here to view history

16. Planned dates

Stage

Status

Format

Source

Comments

Always

Iati

Always

Iati

Always

Iati

Always

Iati

Always

http://beta.foreignassistance.gov/agencies/DoS

Available on the Foreign Assistance dashboard.

Publication Status

IATI

Data quality: 69.83%

Publication Status

IATI

Data quality: 100%

Publication Status

IATI

Data quality: 100%

Publication Status

IATI

Data quality: 100%

Publication Status

IATI

Data quality: 100%

Publication Status

IATI

Data quality: 100%

Publication Status

IATI

Data quality: 100%

Publication Status

IATI

Data quality: 67.39%

Publication Status

Not Published

Source

No data available.

Comments

This information cold be found on IATI but failed sampling. It cannot be found elsewhere.

Click here to view history

25. Sub-national location

Stage

Status

Format

Source

Comments

Not published

This information could not be found.

Not published

Agree

This information is not available.

Not published

This information cold be found on IATI but failed sampling. It cannot be found elsewhere.

Publication Status

IATI

Data quality: 100%

Publication Status

Not Published

Source

No data available.

Comments

This information could not be found.

Click here to view history

27. MoU

Stage

Status

Format

Source

Comments

Not published

Document

This information could not be found.

Not published

Document

Agree

Document

Not published

Document

This information could not be found.

Document

Not published

Document

This information could not be found.

Publication Status

Sometimes

Format: Document

Source

http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/234331.pdf http://www.state.gov/j/prm/policyissues/prmfund/206870.htm http://www.state.gov/f/evaluations/index.htm

Comments

Evaluations do not appear to be consistently published.

Click here to view history

28. Evaluations

Stage

Status

Format

Source

Comments

Sometimes

Document

http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/234331.pdfhttp://www.state.gov/j/prm/policyissues/prmfund/206870.htmhttp://www.state.gov/f/evaluations/index.htm Expand...

Some information on evaluations published in the agency annual financial report, but no comprehensive listing of evaluations found.

Sometimes

Document

http://www.state.gov/f/evaluations/all/index.htm

This link is the most comprehensive listing that is available. Evaluations are done not at the activity-level but the programmatic and Expand...sometimes regional level.

Document

Sometimes

Document

http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/234331.pdfhttp://www.state.gov/j/prm/policyissues/prmfund/206870.htmhttp://www.state.gov/f/evaluations/index.htm Expand...

Evaluations do not appear to be consistently published.

Document

Sometimes

Document

http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/234331.pdf http://www.state.gov/j/prm/policyissues/prmfund/206870.htm http://www.state.gov/f/evaluations/index.htm Expand...

Evaluations do not appear to be consistently published.

Publication Status

Sometimes

Format: Document

Source

http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/236395.pdf

Comments

The objectives or purposes of the activity are those that the activity intends to achieve. The objectives need to include the detailed description of the activity, the target sector/group and expected outcomes.

Click here to view history

29. Objectives

Stage

Status

Format

Source

Comments

Sometimes

Document

http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/236395.pdf

Brief information on objectives of some activities in Afghanistan can be found in the CBJ.

Sometimes

Document

Objectives can be found in the Operational Plan data.

Document

Not sure where/how operational plan data represented on FA.gov

Sometimes

Document

http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/236395.pdf

The objectives or purposes of the activity are those that the activity intends to achieve. The objectives need to include the Expand...detailed description of the activity, the target sector/group and expected outcomes.

Document

Operational plan information will be downloadable from the 'special datasets' box before January 15th.

Sometimes

Document

http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/236395.pdf

Publication Status

Not Published

Source

No data available.

Comments

This information could not be found.

Click here to view history

30. Budget Docs

Stage

Status

Format

Source

Comments

Not published

Document

This information could not be found.

Not published

Document

We do not have this level of budget.

Document

Not published

Document

Not published

Document

This information could not be found.

Publication Status

Always

Format: Document

Source

https://www.fpds.gov/ezsearch/fpdsportal?s=FPDSNG.COM&sortBy=SIGNED_DATE&q=state+department+DEPARTMENT_FULL_NAME%3A%22STATE%2C+DEPARTMENT+OF%22&indexName=awardfull&y=0&templateName=1.4.4&x=0&desc=Y

Comments

Basic contract information is available at fpds.gov

Click here to view history

31. Contracts

Stage

Status

Format

Source

Comments

Always

Document

https://www.fpds.gov/ezsearch/fpdsportal?s=FPDSNG.COM&sortBy=SIGNED_DATE&q=state+department+DEPARTMENT_FULL_NAME%3A%22STATE%2C+DEPARTMENT+OF%22&indexName=awardfull&y=0&templateName=1.4.4&x=0&desc=Y Expand...

Basic contract information is available at fpds.gov

Always

Document

Agree

Document

Always

Document

Basic contract information is available at fpds.gov

Document

Always

Document

Basic contract information is available at fpds.gov

Publication Status

Always

Format: Document

Source

https://www.fbo.gov/index?s=opportunity&mode=list&tab=list&pageID=1

Comments

Basic tender information is available at fpds.gov

Click here to view history

32. Tenders

Stage

Status

Format

Source

Comments

Always

Document

https://www.fbo.gov/index?s=opportunity&mode=list&tab=list&pageID=1

Basic tender information is available at fpds.gov

Always

Document

Agree

Document

Always

Document

https://www.fbo.gov/index?s=opportunity&mode=list&tab=list&pageID=1

Basic tender information is available at fpds.gov

Document

Always

Document

https://www.fbo.gov/index?s=opportunity&mode=list&tab=list&pageID=1

Basic tender information is available at fpds.gov

Publication Status

Sometimes

Format: Pdf

Source

http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/5380.htm

Comments

Annual forward budget (FY2016) is available for some projects in the CBJ. However the CBJ does not contain a comprehensive listing of all projects/activities in Afghanistan

Click here to view history

33. Budget

Stage

Status

Format

Source

Comments

Sometimes

Pdf

http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/5380.htm

Annual forward budget (FY2016) is available for some projects in the CBJ. However the CBJ does not contain a comprehensive listing Expand...of all projects/activities in Afghanistan

Sometimes

Pdf

The U.S. does not do more than one year of forward budget, and therefore you will only be able to find Expand...the next year budget, 2-3 years in advance will not be available.

Sometimes

Pdf

http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/5380.htm

Sometimes

Pdf

http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/5380.htm

Annual forward budget (FY2016) is available for some projects in the CBJ. However the CBJ does not contain a comprehensive listing Expand...of all projects/activities in Afghanistan

Publication Status

IATI

Data quality: 81.2%

Publication Status

IATI

Data quality: 90.64%

Publication Status

Not Published

Source

No data available.

Comments

This information could not be found.

Click here to view history

36. Budget Identifier

Stage

Status

Format

Source

Comments

Not published

This information could not be found

Not published

Not available.

Not published

This information could not be found

Not published

This information could not be found.

Publication Status

Sometimes

Format: Pdf

Source

http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/236393.pdf

Comments

Although this information is not comprehensive or very detailed, results information for some activities in Afghanistan can be found in the CBJ.

Click here to view history

37. Results

Stage

Status

Format

Source

Comments

Sometimes

Pdf

http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/236393.pdf

Although this information is not comprehensive or very detailed, results information for some activities in Afghanistan can be found in the Expand...CBJ.

Sometimes

Pdf

Will be adding results data before January 15th. They will be at the country level.

Sometimes

Pdf

http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/236393.pdf

All updates made before January 15th will be taken into account in the 2016 Index. Results for each activities are expected Expand...to score for this indicator.

The U.S. XML contains performance data in the hierachy 2.

Sometimes

Pdf

http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/236393.pdf

Although this information is not comprehensive or very detailed, results information for some activities in Afghanistan can be found in the Expand...CBJ.

Publication Status

Sometimes

Format: Document

Source

http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/236393.pdf

Comments

Although this information is not comprehensive or very detailed, impact appraisal information for some activities in Afghanistan can be found in the CBJ.

Click here to view history

38. Impact Appraisals

Stage

Status

Format

Source

Comments

Sometimes

Document

http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/236393.pdf

Although this information is not comprehensive or very detailed, impact appraisal information for some activities in Afghanistan can be found in Expand...the CBJ.

Sometimes

Document

Sometimes

Document

http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/236393.pdf

Although this information is not comprehensive or very detailed, impact appraisal information for some activities in Afghanistan can be found in Expand...the CBJ.

Document

Sometimes

Document

http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/236393.pdf

Although this information is not comprehensive or very detailed, impact appraisal information for some activities in Afghanistan can be found in Expand...the CBJ.

Publication Status

Not Published

Source

No data available.

Comments

This information could be found on IATI but failed sampling. It cannot be found elsewhere.

Click here to view history

39. Conditions

Stage

Status

Format

Source

Comments

Not published

Document

This information could not be found.

Not published

Document

Not available.

Document

Not published

Document

Not published

Document

This information could be found on IATI but failed sampling. It cannot be found elsewhere.

23.

U.S. – Department of State

Fair

OVERVIEW

ANALYSIS

Achievements and progress

Challenges and room for improvement

RECOMMENDATIONS

DONOR PROFILE

Fair

Poor

Poor

INDICATOR SCORING

TOTAL

53.9%

SECTION A

COMMITMENT TO AID TRANSPARENCY:

6.58/10

SECTION B

PUBLICATION ORGANISATION LEVEL:

21.49/25

SECTION C

PUBLICATION ACTIVITY LEVEL:

25.78/65

Commitment

1. FOIA

2. Implementation Schedules

3. Accessibility

Publication Status

Source

Comments

1. FOIA

Stage

Status

Format

Source

Comments

Publication Status

Source

Comments

2. Implementation schedules

Stage

Status

Format

Source

Comments

Publication Status

Source

Comments

3. Accessibility

Stage

Status

Format

Source

Comments

Planning

Planning

Financial

Financial

4. Organisation Strategy

5. Annual Report

6. Allocation Policy

7. Procurement Policy

8. Country Strategy

9. Total Budget

10. Disaggregated Budgets

11. Audit

Publication Status

Publication Status

Publication Status

Publication Status

Publication Status

Publication Status

Publication Status

Publication Status

Basic

Classifications

Related Documents

Financial

Performance

COMMITMENT TO
AID TRANSPARENCY:

PUBLICATION
ORGANISATION LEVEL:

PUBLICATION
ACTIVITY LEVEL: