The Catalog Data Standard (CDS) is a system-agnostic data standard for creation and sharing of catalogs.
It provides a standard yet flexible structure for vendors to enter their catalog information, including item descriptions, specifications, prices, and shipping information in data. This allows vendor catalogs to be more easily accessed and searched by potential DoD customers, and improves accuracy of item descriptions in contracts across the Department. It also meets the requirements for standardized Bills of Materials.
The CDS was developed under the guidance of the Defense Pricing, Contracting, and Acquisition Policy (DPCAP) office (formerly DPAP). After a public comment period, Draft Version 1.1 was released in February 2023 and is available for use and comment.
The CDS Schema and associated documents can be downloaded from the links below. The XSD files require a special reader.