Why use Data Mining Techniques?

The use of data mining techniques in USG procurement helps companies identify predetermined groups, logical relationships, associations and anticipated behavior patterns. For example, a company could mine agency procurement data to determine the type of contracts used to purchase their goods or services. This information could be used to determine if the company should get a contract vehicle. The contract vehicles could include GSA Schedules, Government Wide Acquisition Contracts or many other “Interagency Contracts. Please see blog “Interagency Contracting”

• Identifying logical relationships or contracting preferences. For example, USG contracting data can be mined to identify set aside contracts for socio economic groups and the contracting officers that favor this form of procurement. Small business with this status can market directly to these contracting officers.
• Identifying associations. For example, USG contracting data can be mined to see if certain contracting vehicles are used more that others to purchase computer hardware
• Anticipate behavior patterns and trends. For example, a manufacture of military weaponry can mined contract history and correlate with geo political events to plan raw material purchases and production schedules.