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DCAT US 3 Implementation Resources
This page provides key resources for agencies implementing the DCAT-US 3 metadata standard, preparing metadata for Data.gov harvesting, validating harvest sources, requesting harvest source changes, and identifying the appropriate location for implementation questions or standard change requests.
Agencies should review these resources before submitting harvest source change requests or bringing questions to DCAT interagency meetings.
| Resource | Link | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| DCAT-US 3 Updates | https://resources.data.gov/resources/dcat-us-3-updates/ | Meeting schedule updates and related DCAT-US 3 engagement information |
| DCAT-US 3 Implementation Guide | https://resources.data.gov/resources/dcat-us-3-implementation/ | Primary implementation reference for DCAT-US 3 |
| DCAT-US 3 to M-25-05 Crosswalk | https://resources.data.gov/resources/dcat-us-3-crosswalk/ | Crosswalk between DCAT-US 3 metadata elements and M-25-05-related considerations |
| DCAT-US 3 Technical Implementation FAQs | https://github.com/GSA/dcat-us/wiki/DCAT-US-3-Technical-Implementation-FAQ | FAQs and technical implementation guidance as developed |
| DCAT-US GitHub Issues | https://github.com/GSA/dcat-us/issues | Requests or discussions about changes to the DCAT-US metadata standard itself |
| Current Harvest Sources | https://harvest.data.gov | View current agency harvest sources |
| Harvest Source Validation Tool | https://harvest.data.gov/validate/ | Validate whether a proposed or updated harvest source is expected to pass validation |
| Harvest Source Change Request Form | https://touchpoints.app.cloud.gov/touchpoints/ffb7e9d0 | Request a new DCAT-US 3 harvest source or a change to an existing harvest source |
| Inventory.data.gov Access Request Form | https://touchpoints.app.cloud.gov/touchpoints/9145dd7e | Request or renew access to Inventory.data.gov |
Resource:
https://resources.data.gov/resources/dcat-us-3-updates/
The DCAT-US 3 Updates page is the primary location for updates related to DCAT-US 3 interagency engagement and meeting schedules.
Agencies should use this page to find updates related to:
- DCAT Interagency Q&A Office Hours
- DCAT Interagency Info Sharing Session
- Meeting schedule changes
- Related DCAT-US 3 implementation updates
- Links to related resources or engagement information
Any updates to the recurring DCAT-US 3 meeting schedule will be posted on this page.
Resource:
https://resources.data.gov/resources/dcat-us-3-implementation/
The DCAT-US 3 Implementation Guide is the primary reference for agencies implementing the DCAT-US 3 metadata standard.
Agencies should use this guide when preparing, reviewing, or updating metadata to support DCAT-US 3 compliance and Data.gov harvesting.
The guide supports agency implementation activities such as:
- Understanding DCAT-US 3 requirements
- Reviewing metadata field expectations
- Preparing DCAT-US 3 compliant metadata files
- Aligning agency data inventories and catalogs with the DCAT-US 3 standard
- Supporting metadata quality
- Preparing for validation
- Preparing for Data.gov harvesting
- Understanding how metadata may display or be discovered on Data.gov
Agencies should consult the implementation guide before submitting harvest source change requests or raising implementation questions through office hours or the monthly information sharing session.
Resource:
https://resources.data.gov/resources/dcat-us-3-crosswalk/
The DCAT-US 3 to M-25-05 Crosswalk provides a reference for understanding how DCAT-US 3 metadata elements relate to M-25-05-related requirements or considerations.
Agencies may use this crosswalk to support implementation planning, metadata review, and internal coordination when aligning agency metadata practices with DCAT-US 3 and related federal expectations.
This resource may help agencies:
- Understand relationships between DCAT-US 3 fields and M-25-05 considerations
- Review how metadata elements support related reporting or policy needs
- Identify metadata fields that may require agency attention during implementation
- Support internal conversations between data, policy, technical, and governance teams
- Prepare questions for office hours or the monthly information sharing session
Agencies should use the crosswalk alongside the DCAT-US 3 Implementation Guide.
Resource:
https://github.com/GSA/dcat-us/wiki/DCAT-US-3-Technical-Implementation-FAQ
Frequently asked questions related to the technical implementation of the DCAT-US 3 metadata standard are being posted to the DCAT-US GitHub wiki as they are developed.
Agencies should use this resource to review emerging guidance, common implementation questions, technical clarifications, and recurring issues identified through agency implementation efforts, office hours, information sharing sessions, validation, and harvest source request processing.
This resource may include information related to:
- Common DCAT-US 3 implementation questions
- Technical interpretation of metadata fields
- Validation issues and troubleshooting
- Metadata formatting questions
- Harvesting-related implementation considerations
- Clarifications that arise through interagency discussions
- Frequently encountered edge cases or implementation patterns
Agencies should consult the FAQs alongside the:
- DCAT-US 3 Implementation Guide
- DCAT-US 3 to M-25-05 Crosswalk
- DCAT Interagency Q&A Office Hours
- DCAT Interagency Info Sharing Session
Resource:
https://github.com/GSA/dcat-us/issues
The DCAT-US GitHub Issues page is used to request or discuss changes to the DCAT-US metadata standard itself.
This issue tracker is different from the Data.gov Team Board and the Harvest Source Management Board. It is intended for issues, questions, or proposed changes related to the DCAT-US standard, rather than agency-specific harvest source requests or Data.gov product implementation work.
Examples of items that may be appropriate for the DCAT-US GitHub Issues page include:
- Requesting a change to the DCAT-US metadata standard
- Proposing updates to DCAT-US fields, definitions, usage notes, or requirements
- Raising questions about the structure or interpretation of the standard
- Identifying inconsistencies, ambiguities, or gaps in the standard
- Discussing standard-level metadata modeling considerations
- Suggesting improvements to DCAT-US documentation or guidance
Resource:
https://harvest.data.gov
Agencies can view their current harvest sources at harvest.data.gov.
This site allows agencies to review the harvest sources currently associated with their agency. Agencies should use this information to understand their existing harvest source configuration before requesting a new DCAT-US 3 harvest source or submitting a change to a current harvest source.
Reviewing current harvest sources can help agencies determine whether they need to:
- Request a new DCAT-US 3 harvest source
- Update an existing harvest source
- Correct harvest source information
- Confirm the status or configuration of existing harvest sources
- Identify whether a current source should be replaced, updated, or retired
Resource:
https://harvest.data.gov/validate/
Agencies can use the Harvest Source Validation Tool to check whether their harvest source is expected to pass validation.
This tool can be used before submitting a request for a new DCAT-US 3 harvest source or before requesting a change to an existing harvest source.
Using the validation tool can help agencies identify and resolve metadata issues earlier in the process, before the request is submitted through the Harvest Source Change Request Form.
Agencies may use the validation tool to:
- Test whether a proposed harvest source passes validation
- Identify metadata errors or warnings
- Confirm that a DCAT-US 3 harvest source is structured correctly
- Resolve validation issues before requesting that Data.gov add or update the harvest source
- Reduce back-and-forth during the harvest source review process
If the harvest source does not pass validation, agencies should review and correct the identified issues before submitting a new or updated harvest source request, where possible.
Resource:
https://touchpoints.app.cloud.gov/touchpoints/ffb7e9d0
The Harvest Source Change Request Form is the agency-facing intake mechanism for requesting either a new DCAT-US 3 harvest source or a change to an existing harvest source.
Agencies should use this form when they need to:
- Request creation of a new DCAT-US 3 harvest source
- Request a change to an existing harvest source
- Update the source URL for a harvest source
- Change a harvest source from DCAT-US 1.1 to DCAT-US 3
- Correct or update harvest source configuration information
- Request other harvest-source-related changes needed to support metadata harvesting by Data.gov
Before submitting the form, agencies should:
- Review the DCAT-US 3 Implementation Guide
- Review their current harvest sources at https://harvest.data.gov
- Validate the proposed or updated source at https://harvest.data.gov/validate/
- Confirm the correct source URL
- Identify the agency point of contact for follow-up
Once a request is submitted, it is tracked by the Data.gov team on the Harvest Source Management Board.
Resource:
https://touchpoints.app.cloud.gov/touchpoints/9145dd7e
Agencies that need access to Inventory.data.gov to create a DCAT-US 3 compliant file can request access by submitting the Inventory.data.gov Access Request Form.
Inventory.data.gov may be used by agencies as part of their metadata creation and management process, including the creation of files intended to comply with the DCAT-US 3 metadata standard.
Once an Inventory.data.gov account is established, agencies must re-submit the same form once per quarter to maintain access.
Agencies may use this form to:
- Request initial access to Inventory.data.gov
- Support creation of a DCAT-US 3 compliant file
- Maintain continued access to Inventory.data.gov
- Complete the required quarterly access renewal process
Note: The Inventory.data.gov Access Request Form is separate from the Harvest Source Change Request Form.
Use the Inventory.data.gov Access Request Form to request or maintain access to Inventory.data.gov:
https://touchpoints.app.cloud.gov/touchpoints/9145dd7e
Use the Harvest Source Change Request Form to request a new DCAT-US 3 harvest source or a change to an existing harvest source:
https://touchpoints.app.cloud.gov/touchpoints/ffb7e9d0
Agencies preparing for DCAT-US 3 implementation should generally begin with the following steps:
-
Review the DCAT-US 3 Implementation Guide
https://resources.data.gov/resources/dcat-us-3-implementation/ -
Review the DCAT-US 3 to M-25-05 Crosswalk, if applicable
https://resources.data.gov/resources/dcat-us-3-crosswalk/ -
Check the DCAT-US 3 Technical Implementation FAQs
https://github.com/GSA/dcat-us/wiki/DCAT-US-3-Technical-Implementation-FAQ -
Determine whether Inventory.data.gov access is needed
https://touchpoints.app.cloud.gov/touchpoints/9145dd7e -
Create or update the DCAT-US 3 compliant metadata file
-
Review current harvest sources
https://harvest.data.gov -
Validate the proposed or updated harvest source
https://harvest.data.gov/validate/ -
Submit a harvest source change request, if needed
https://touchpoints.app.cloud.gov/touchpoints/ffb7e9d0 -
Bring questions to the appropriate forum
- Use DCAT Interagency Q&A Office Hours for implementation questions.
- Use the DCAT Interagency Info Sharing Session for broader discussion, demonstrations, or shared learning.
- Use DCAT-US GitHub Issues for proposed changes to the DCAT-US metadata standard itself.
- DCAT-US 3 Implementation Resources
- Agency Workflow for DCAT-US 3 Harvest Source Requests
- Inventory.data.gov Access
- Harvest Source Review and Validation
- Harvest Source Change Requests
- FAQ Overview
- DCAT-US 3 Technical Implementation FAQ
- Harvest Source Request FAQ
- Inventory.data.gov Access FAQ
- Meeting FAQ
- Tracking and Issue Routing FAQ
- DCAT Interagency Maintenance Team
- DCAT IMT CHARTER
- Maintenance Process Overview
- Roles and Responsibilities
- Issue Triage and GitHub Workflow
- Semi-Annual Release Cycles
- Agency Feedback and Participation
- Release Communications and Outreach
- Annual Retrospective
- Maintenance Meeting Schedule
- Maintenance Templates