3.1.4: Technology and Innovative Uses of Information

Utilize state-of-the-art, user-friendly technology to monitor, stimulate, and incorporate innovative uses of information

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Making information available to the public in a user-friendly and understandable way has been a challenge at USDA. New technologies allow the Department to overcome this challenge. Information on Department programs, policies, and activities is available in real time. This process allows the public to monitor USDA’s activities and provide immediate feedback. By embracing innovative new technologies, USDA is providing the public with ways to monitor its activities and stimulate greater participation in its processes. One such new technology is eRulemaking, which is a component of Regulations.gov. USDA participates in eRulemaking to ensure that proposed rules and regulations benefit from public review and comment. The Department publishes its proposed and final rulemaking actions, notices, and related information in the Federal Register. By publishing this information, USDA ensures that its constituents can easily study the rules and monitor the rulemaking process. Also noteworthy is the Department’s use of Recovery.gov. Since the passing of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), USDA has utilized Recovery.gov to provide easy access to data related to Recovery Act spending. Recovery.gov allows the public to track the spending of stimulus money throughout USDA. It also provides reports of potential fraud, waste, and abuse through such user-friendly tools as charts, graphs, and maps. These tools offer both telescopic and microscopic views of Recovery projects across the country. They are consistently enhanced and refined to ensure easy usage. ARRA, also known as the stimulus or recovery package, was designed to jump start America’s struggling economy and save or create millions of jobs. Track the money!

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