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Inventory data gov Access

David Aguiar edited this page Aug 31, 2026 · 3 revisions

Inventory.data.gov Access

This page explains how agencies can request and maintain access to Inventory.data.gov for creating a DCAT-US 3 compliant file.

Inventory.data.gov may be used by agencies as part of their metadata creation and management process when preparing metadata for Data.gov harvesting.


Quick Summary

Topic Details
Tool Inventory.data.gov
Purpose Create a DCAT-US 3 compliant metadata file
Access request form https://touchpoints.app.cloud.gov/touchpoints/9145dd7e
Renewal requirement Once an account is established, the same form must be re-submitted once per quarter to maintain access
Separate from harvest source requests? Yes. Inventory.data.gov access requests are separate from harvest source change requests

Inventory.data.gov Access Request Form

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.

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

Purpose of Inventory.data.gov Access

Inventory.data.gov may support agencies that need a tool or workflow for creating metadata files intended to comply with the DCAT-US 3 metadata standard.

Agencies may use Inventory.data.gov as part of their process to:

  • Create a DCAT-US 3 compliant file
  • Manage metadata records
  • Prepare metadata for validation
  • Prepare metadata for Data.gov harvesting
  • Support agency data inventory or catalog workflows

Agencies should prepare metadata in accordance with the DCAT-US 3 Implementation Guide:

https://resources.data.gov/resources/dcat-us-3-implementation/


Quarterly Access Renewal Requirement

Once an Inventory.data.gov account is established, agencies must re-submit the same form once per quarter to maintain access.

Quarterly renewal form:
https://touchpoints.app.cloud.gov/touchpoints/9145dd7e

Agencies should use the same form for both:

  • Initial access requests
  • Quarterly access renewal

Recommended Agency Steps

Agencies that need Inventory.data.gov access should follow these steps.

Step 1: Review DCAT-US 3 Implementation Resources

Before requesting access, agencies should review the DCAT-US 3 implementation resources to understand metadata requirements and expectations.

Primary references include:


Step 2: Determine Whether Inventory.data.gov Access Is Needed

Agencies should determine whether they need Inventory.data.gov to create or manage a DCAT-US 3 compliant file.

Inventory.data.gov access may be needed if the agency:

  • Does not already have another process for creating a DCAT-US 3 compliant file
  • Plans to use Inventory.data.gov as part of its metadata creation workflow
  • Needs to create or maintain metadata records for Data.gov harvesting
  • Needs access to support DCAT-US 3 implementation activities

Step 3: Submit the Inventory.data.gov Access Request Form

Agencies should submit the Inventory.data.gov Access Request Form:

https://touchpoints.app.cloud.gov/touchpoints/9145dd7e

The form is used to request access to Inventory.data.gov.


Step 4: Create or Update the DCAT-US 3 Compliant File

Once access is established, agencies may use Inventory.data.gov to create or update a DCAT-US 3 compliant file.

Agencies should confirm that the file:

  • Uses the appropriate DCAT-US 3 structure
  • Includes required metadata fields
  • Includes recommended fields where applicable
  • Uses valid values and formats
  • Reflects current agency dataset and distribution information
  • Is available at the source URL that will be submitted for harvesting, if applicable

Step 5: Validate the Harvest Source

After creating or updating the metadata file, agencies should validate the proposed or updated harvest source.

Harvest Source Validation Tool:
https://harvest.data.gov/validate/

The validation tool can help agencies:

  • 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 submitting a harvest source request

Step 6: Submit a Harvest Source Change Request, If Needed

If the agency needs to request a new DCAT-US 3 harvest source or a change to an existing harvest source, the agency should submit the Harvest Source Change Request Form:

https://touchpoints.app.cloud.gov/touchpoints/ffb7e9d0

This form is separate from the Inventory.data.gov Access Request Form.


Step 7: Re-Submit the Inventory.data.gov Access Request Form Quarterly

To maintain Inventory.data.gov access, agencies must re-submit the same form once per quarter:

https://touchpoints.app.cloud.gov/touchpoints/9145dd7e

Agencies should plan for this quarterly renewal requirement to avoid interruptions in access.


Inventory.data.gov Access Request vs. Harvest Source Change Request

The Inventory.data.gov Access Request Form and the Harvest Source Change Request Form serve different purposes.

Form Link Use When
Inventory.data.gov Access Request Form https://touchpoints.app.cloud.gov/touchpoints/9145dd7e An agency needs to request or renew access to Inventory.data.gov
Harvest Source Change Request Form https://touchpoints.app.cloud.gov/touchpoints/ffb7e9d0 An agency needs to request a new DCAT-US 3 harvest source or a change to an existing harvest source

Use the Inventory.data.gov Access Request Form When

Agencies should use the Inventory.data.gov Access Request Form when they need to:

  • Request initial access to Inventory.data.gov
  • Maintain access to Inventory.data.gov
  • Complete quarterly access renewal
  • Use Inventory.data.gov to create a DCAT-US 3 compliant file

Form:
https://touchpoints.app.cloud.gov/touchpoints/9145dd7e


Use the Harvest Source Change Request Form When

Agencies should use the Harvest Source Change Request 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

Form:
https://touchpoints.app.cloud.gov/touchpoints/ffb7e9d0


Suggested Pre-Request Checklist

Before submitting the Inventory.data.gov Access Request Form, agencies may wish to confirm the following:

  • The agency needs access to Inventory.data.gov to create or maintain a DCAT-US 3 compliant file.
  • The agency has reviewed the DCAT-US 3 Implementation Guide.
  • The agency understands the quarterly access renewal requirement.
  • The appropriate agency point of contact has been identified.
  • The Inventory.data.gov Access Request Form has been submitted.

Suggested Quarterly Renewal Checklist

To maintain Inventory.data.gov access, agencies should complete the following once per quarter:

  • Confirm continued need for Inventory.data.gov access.
  • Identify the account or user access that needs to be maintained.
  • Re-submit the Inventory.data.gov Access Request Form.
  • Retain any confirmation or follow-up information received.
  • Respond to any follow-up questions, if applicable.

Quarterly renewal form:
https://touchpoints.app.cloud.gov/touchpoints/9145dd7e


Frequently Asked Questions

How do agencies request access to Inventory.data.gov?

Agencies can request access using the Inventory.data.gov Access Request Form:

https://touchpoints.app.cloud.gov/touchpoints/9145dd7e


What is Inventory.data.gov used for?

Inventory.data.gov may be used by agencies to create a DCAT-US 3 compliant file as part of their metadata creation and management process.


Does Inventory.data.gov access need to be renewed?

Yes. Once an Inventory.data.gov account is established, agencies must re-submit the same form once per quarter to maintain access.


What form should agencies use for quarterly renewal?

Agencies should use the same Inventory.data.gov Access Request Form:

https://touchpoints.app.cloud.gov/touchpoints/9145dd7e


Is the Inventory.data.gov Access Request Form the same as the Harvest Source Change Request Form?

No. These are separate forms.

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


Should agencies validate metadata created through Inventory.data.gov?

Yes. Agencies should validate the proposed or updated harvest source before submitting a harvest source change request.

Validation tool:

https://harvest.data.gov/validate/


Related Resources

DCAT-US 3 Implementation Guide

https://resources.data.gov/resources/dcat-us-3-implementation/

Primary reference for agencies implementing the DCAT-US 3 metadata standard.


DCAT-US 3 to M-25-05 Crosswalk

https://resources.data.gov/resources/dcat-us-3-crosswalk/

Reference for understanding how DCAT-US 3 metadata elements relate to M-25-05-related considerations.


DCAT-US 3 Technical Implementation FAQs

https://github.com/GSA/dcat-us/wiki/DCAT-US-3-Technical-Implementation-FAQ

Frequently asked questions related to technical implementation of the DCAT-US 3 metadata standard are posted here as they are developed.


Current Harvest Sources

https://harvest.data.gov

Use this site to view current agency harvest sources.


Harvest Source Validation Tool

https://harvest.data.gov/validate/

Use this tool to test whether a proposed or updated harvest source is expected to pass validation.


Harvest Source Change Request Form

https://touchpoints.app.cloud.gov/touchpoints/ffb7e9d0

Use this form to request a new DCAT-US 3 harvest source or a change to an existing harvest source.


DCAT-US 3 Updates

https://resources.data.gov/resources/dcat-us-3-updates/

Use this page for meeting schedule updates and related DCAT-US 3 engagement information.


Related Wiki Pages

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