OPI Analytics Project Implementation Guide
Last Updated: June 2024
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3.4.1. Data Transfer – Secure File Transfer Set-up
The most common method OPI Analytics uses to receive data and send completed analyses is
through a Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP) connection. To begin the process of setting up a
SFTP connection, the customer will fill out an Analytics File Transfer Form (see appendix B).
Once this form is completed and submitted, OPI’s Project Manager will contact the partnering
organization to request the required information for setting up the SFTP connection. The
requested information should not be given through email and needs to be given via a telephone
call.
The following information is required for each person who will need access to the SFTP
connection:
• Full Name
• IP Address
• Phone Number
• Email Address
For SFTP, the agency will use a client to connect to the Bureau of the Fiscal Service (BFS) SFTP
server. If an agency does not already have an internal SFTP client, WinSCP is a free and
supported option.
3.4.2 Data Transfer – Secure File Transfer Testing
Once this information is given to OPI’s Project Manager, the SFTP connection will be created
for the customer. The OPI Project Manager will contact the partnering organization with
instructions to test the connection. When sending a test file, put “.TST” or “.TEST” at the end of
the file to indicate it is a test file. When sending files to OPI, put them in the Inbound folder. If
OPI is sending you files, they will be located in the Outbound folder.
3.4.3 Data Transfer - Data Specifications
Below are the preferred general file specifications for OPI Analytics. See Appendix C File
Specifications for Analytics Projects for more detailed information. Adhering to these
specifications allows for a quicker data loading and cleaning process. However, not being able
to provide data in the requested format is not prohibitive to engaging in a project with OPI
Analytics.
When submitting data, OPI Analytics requests that partnering organizations:
• submit their data in a CSV Pipe Delimited file,
• do not submit non-ASCII characters,
• prepare and submit a data dictionary with their data file, which includes field names, a
definition for each field, the data type of each field, and any other pertinent information
about the data file.
The project team needs several days with the data to allow time to load, clean, format, and
familiarize themselves with the data. Due to this, data should be sent to OPI at least a week
prior to the project execution start date. This date will be communicated to the customer once