Open Contracting Partnership
Open Contracting Partnership (OCP) is an independent non-profit that stewards the Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) and delivers open-source tools, country-specific digital platforms, and the Lift impact accelerator to help governments, civil society, and businesses reform public procurement globally.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2015
- HeadquartersWashington, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Open Contracting Partnership does
Open Contracting Partnership (OCP) is an independent non-profit public charity founded circa 2015 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., that connects governments, civil society, and businesses to open up and monitor public procurement. It is the steward of the Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS), a free, open-source global schema for structuring and publishing procurement data, applied in more than 50 countries and cities and underpinning national e-procurement systems, dashboards, and analytics. OCP's primary customers are public procuring entities at national, regional, and municipal levels (including Tanzania PPRA, Mexico City, Boston, Dominican Republic, Paraguay, Assam, Ukraine, Ecuador, and Brazil), supported by civil society oversight coalitions, multilateral and donor partners (World Bank, IDB, UNODC, Gates, Hewlett, IDRC, Hivos, DFID), and small/women-led/minority-owned businesses that benefit from OCP-built opportunity and credit platforms.
Open Contracting Partnership firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Open Contracting Partnership
- Legal name
- Open Contracting Partnership
- Website
- https://open-contracting.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2015
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Open Contracting Partnership (OCP) is an independent non-profit that stewards the Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) and delivers open-source tools, country-specific digital platforms, and the Lift impact accelerator to help governments, civil society, and businesses reform public procurement globally.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Open Contracting Partnership industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Public Procurement Transparency and Open Government Data Services
- NAICS
- Software Publishers (5132), Computer Systems Design and Related Services (5415), Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services (5182)
- SIC
- Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370), Services-Prepackaged Software (7372)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Public Procurement & Contracting (BPAIAEAE)
Keywords
Where Open Contracting Partnership is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Washington
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Open Contracting Partnership business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Grants and philanthropic funding: OCP operates as an independent non-profit public charity 501(c)(3); primary revenue comes from grants and philanthropic funding from foundations and bilateral/multilateral donors (e.g., Gates Foundation, Hewlett Foundation, IDRC, Hivos, DFID referenced). Funding supports the Lift program and country-specific reform engagements.
- Professional services and technical assistance: OCP provides dedicated support and services including e-GP evaluation, change management, technical specifications, data-system strengthening, and custom digital solution design/build for governments and non-profits. Engagements are bespoke and project-based.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | — | Not publicly disclosed — services delivered via grants and bespoke partnerships |
Go-to-market motion4 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels10 records
Open Contracting Partnership product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Open Contracting Partnership stewards the Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) and delivers bespoke public procurement reform engagements, open-source digital tools, and an 18-month Lift impact accelerator program for governments and civil society. Its products include the Cardinal red-flags library, a public Data Registry, and country-specific platforms such as Prebases, Vigía, MiTiendita Virtual, CREDERE, DREAM and MapaInversiones. Core services span e-procurement evaluation, technical specifications, change management, data-system strengthening, and digital solution design and build.
Product overview
Open Contracting Partnership (OCP) is an independent non-profit that supports a portfolio of interconnected digital tools and resources for public procurement reform, anchored by the Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) — the global best-practice schema used to structure and publish procurement data. OCDS underlies OCP's other products, including the Cardinal open-source library for calculating red flags, business intelligence dashboards (red flags Early Warning System in the Dominican Republic, equity dashboard in Boston, sustainability dashboards in Lithuania), and the country-specific platforms OCP has co-created such as Prebases (Mexico City), Vigía (Paraguay), MiTiendita Virtual (Mexico City), CREDERE (Colombia/US), the Disaster Risk Reduction data solution (Assam, India), DREAM reconstruction ecosystem (Ukraine), and MapaInversiones (IDB/Latin America). These digital solutions are complemented by the Lift impact accelerator program (an 18-month reform program), the public Data Registry at data.open-contracting.org, and a suite of guides and toolkits (Quickstart, Legislative, Red Flags, Mythbusting Confidentiality, Buying AI, Open and Sustainable Public Procurement toolkit, and Advocacy Toolkit). OCP's overall offering is therefore a platform-plus-modules architecture: OCDS as the core data standard, Cardinal and the Data Registry as data infrastructure, country-specific platforms and dashboards as deployment modules, and Lift plus the guide library as the service and capacity-building layer.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS): Free, open-source global best practice data standard administered by OCP to structure and publish open contracting data, applied in more than 50 countries and cities.
- Cardinal
- Buying AI
- Open Contracting Lift
Products and services
- Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) The free, open-source global best-practice data standard for structuring and publishing open data on public procurement. Applied in more than 50 countries and cities, OCDS provides the schema used across OCP's other digital solutions and tools.
- Cardinal OCP's open-source Python library for calculating common risk indicators of corruption and collusion in public procurement using OCDS data. Powers the red flags methodology and downstream dashboards.
- Prebases Pre-bidding module that publishes draft specifications, award process details and technical annexes on an electronic procurement system; suppliers, civil society and citizens can ask questions and make recommendations, with public responses from the procuring entity. Currently used by Mexico City.
- Real-time Red Flags Early Warning System Dashboard (Dominican Republic) Data-driven corruption risk monitoring dashboard integrating 21 indicators of common red flags (e.g., ties between suppliers and politicians, contracts broken up to undercut thresholds, links to prohibited practices). Built with Microsoft support; covers 300 daily procurements by 500+ buyers engaging 111,000 suppliers.
- Equity in City Contracting Dashboard (Boston) Business intelligence tool providing analysis of how city funds are spent with certified minority businesses; used by the City of Boston, Massachusetts.
- Vigía (Paraguay) Procurement opportunity platform allowing entrepreneurs to find public procurement opportunities via an SME-oriented search engine and to provide real-time feedback on irregularities. Currently used by the government of Paraguay.
- MiTiendita Virtual (Mexico City) Small-business one-stop platform that enables small businesses in Mexico City to proactively share business information with government buyers, browse an annual purchasing calendar, and search for relevant opportunities.
- CREDERE Open-source tool that helps small businesses access credit to comply with public contracts. Uses open procurement data to invite recently awarded suppliers to apply for financial products and pre-populates credit applications with contract data. Piloted in Bogotá, Colombia and scaled nationally; a U.S. pilot is being developed with Community Development Financial Institutions.
- Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) data solution Data model joining complex datasets on flood hazard, exposure, vulnerability and government contracts to help decision-makers identify and prioritize investments for vulnerable communities. In use by the State of Assam, India, and being scaled across other states.
- DREAM Reconstruction Ecosystem (Ukraine) Umbrella system for infrastructure reconstruction in Ukraine integrating real-time damage assessments, budgets, project planning, procurement and delivery, creating a single pipeline from communities to funders.
- MapaInversiones Data service using OCDS to visualize public investment data and connect procurement, spending and environmental indicators in Latin America for the Inter-American Development Bank.
- Lift impact accelerator program 18-month program working closely with competitively selected reform teams across selection, design, implementation, and documentation phases. Past teams include Mexico City, Ecuador, Boston, Des Moines, Paraguay, Assam (India), Brazil, Moldova, and Ekiti State (Nigeria); 14 of 22 past teams have achieved or are on track for systemic progress.
- Data Registry (data.open-contracting.org) Public registry providing access to OCDS-formatted procurement data published by implementing governments and organizations.
- Buying AI: Tips and tools for public procurement Guide offering recommendations for governments on responsible AI procurement across five priorities: organizational AI strategy, staff AI literacy, technology and procurement team integration, data management, and agile procurement through open competition.
Quantifiable outcome
- Procurement cycle time in Tanzania reduced from 116 to 80 days (30% reduction)
- +11 more outcomes
Companies that use Open Contracting Partnership
Customer profileNamed customers14 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Open Contracting Partnership technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration3 records
AI capability8 records
Feature10 records
Open Contracting Partnership partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
39 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- MicrosoftcoreMicrosoft supported implementation of the Real-time Red Flags Dashboard in the Dominican Republic, an Early Warning System that integrates 21 red flag indicators covering 300 daily procurements, 500+ buyers, and 111,000 suppliers.
- Inter-American Development BankcoreMapaInversiones uses the Open Contracting Data Standard to visualize public investment data connecting procurement, spending, and environmental indicators in Latin America.
- OpenOwnershipcoreSister project creating a global open data standard for companies to disclose beneficial owners; OCP is part of the founding Steering Committee alongside Transparency International, Global Witness, ONE, the B Team and OpenCorporates.
- Transparency InternationalcoreFounding Steering Committee member of OpenOwnership; co-developer of beneficial ownership norms and a member of anti-corruption coalitions alongside OCP.
- Global WitnessmajorFounding Steering Committee member of OpenOwnership, working with OCP on beneficial ownership disclosure and corporate transparency.
- ONEmajorFounding Steering Committee member of OpenOwnership alongside OCP.
- The B TeammajorFounding Steering Committee member of OpenOwnership alongside OCP.
- OpenCorporatesmajorFounding Steering Committee member of OpenOwnership alongside OCP, working on beneficial ownership data ecosystem.
- Publish What You PaymajorPartner listed in OCP's beneficial ownership ecosystem of organizations advancing corporate transparency in procurement.
- UNODC (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime)coreWith UNODC support, Gavin Hayman and Kristen Robinson are leading the Improving Integrity project to review best practices and emerging norms for anti-corruption in procurement and propose updates to UN Convention Against Corruption implementation guidance.
- Development GatewaymajorPartner on OCP's 2020 Action Research cohort and broader open contracting ecosystem collaborations.
- Africa Freedom of Information Centre (Uganda)majorCo-investigator with the Institute for Social Accountability (Kenya) on OCP's 2-year gender-responsive procurement research in Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and Tanzania.
- Institute for Social Accountability (Kenya)majorCo-investigator with the Africa Freedom of Information Centre on OCP's gender-responsive procurement research in Eastern Africa.
- Universidad de ChilemajorResearch partner with OCP, the Ministry of Public Works and CENABAST on redesigning auctions for public works and medicine contracts in Chile.
- CENABAST (Chile)majorChile's medical procurement authority; research partner with Universidad de Chile and OCP on medicine procurement and comparative value-for-money analysis.
- Universidad Nacional de ColombiamajorResearch partner that worked with OCP to develop guidelines for public procurement best practices in public hospitals in Colombia.
- Centro de Desarrollo SosteniblemajorResearch partner on OCP's efficiency and AI research, including procurement duration analysis for Portugal and Chile and a Latin American researcher network applying AI to OCDS data.
- Oxford InsightsmajorCo-developed qualitative gender and inclusion framework for OCP's Action Research and evaluated IMF COVID-19 financing transparency commitments by 12 governments.
- Spend NetworkmajorResearch partner on Global Procurement Spend analysis and on the Sustainable Public Procurement toolkit (with PUBLIC).
- PUBLICmajorCo-developer with OCP and Spend Network of the Sustainable Public Procurement toolkit.
- TrustLawminorPartner that documented best practices from Chile, Colombia, Paraguay, Portugal, South Africa, South Korea, and Ukraine for the Open Contracting Legislative Guide.
- Stellenbosch University (Prof. Sope Williams-Elegbe)minorAcademic research partner on gender-responsive procurement in South Africa.
- WAJIBUmajorCivil society organization partnering with OCP to train small businesses in Tanzania, resulting in 38 entrepreneurs winning public contracts.
- Open Government Partnership (OGP)coreOCP is an active member of OGP; OGP has published a topical guide on Coronavirus and public procurement and featured OCP in its Academy programs.
- Government of the United KingdommajorLift-partner government; OCP analyzed the first year of the UK Procurement Act 2023 and produced evidence-based research on Find a Tender data.
- Government of the PhilippinesmajorNational-level Lift participant pursuing open contracting reforms after a major spending scandal.
- Government of SenegalmajorNational-level Lift participant pursuing open contracting reforms.
- Government of UgandamajorNational-level Lift participant; OCP documented impact on women businesses through contracts.
- Government of LithuaniamajorNational-level Lift participant that achieved 100% green procurement; co-developed sustainability-tracking business intelligence dashboards with OCP.
- Government of ChilemajorNational-level Lift participant; advanced beneficial ownership disclosure in public procurement.
- Government of MoldovamajorNational-level Lift participant that worked with OCP on medicine procurement reforms.
- City of Buenos Aires, ArgentinaminorLift-partner city implementing open contracting for SMEs in public procurement.
- City of BangkokminorLift-partner city implementing open contracting reforms.
- City of Lille, FranceminorLift-partner city implementing open contracting reforms.
- City of New Orleans, Louisiana (USA)minorLift-partner city implementing open contracting reforms.
- City of Portland, Oregon (USA)minorLift-partner city supporting local economies through open contracting dashboards.
- City of El Paso, Texas (USA)minorLift-partner city implementing open contracting reforms.
- World BankcoreOCP cites the World Bank's 34,000-firm survey across 88 countries as evidence underpinning its impact framework; also co-author of The Puppet Masters study on beneficial ownership and shell companies.
- ProZorro (Ukraine)coreProZorro is Ukraine's flagship open procurement platform; OCP highlights ProZorro's CEO Vasyl Zadvornyy as a community champion and works with DoZorro civil society network.
Scale indicators28 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Open Contracting Partnership competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Development Gateway: Non-profit that builds data and digital tools for international development, including aid and procurement transparency. Comparable to OCP as a technology-focused non-profit serving governments and donors with open data platforms.
- Transparency International: Global non-profit coalition leading the fight against corruption, including public procurement integrity. Directly comparable to OCP as a mission-aligned anti-corruption organization with national chapters, donor backing, and influence on UNCAC and OECD norms.
- ProZorro: Ukraine's flagship OCDS-aligned public procurement platform, frequently cited by OCP as a community champion and case study. Direct operational peer delivering open procurement infrastructure at national scale.
- OpenOwnership: Sister project creating the global Beneficial Ownership Data Standard (BODS); OCP co-founded it alongside Transparency International, Global Witness, ONE, the B Team and OpenCorporates. Direct peer in transparency standards stewardship and coalition-driven governance reform.
- Open Government Partnership (OGP): Intergovernmental initiative of 150+ governments advancing transparency, accountability, and citizen participation — including open contracting as a flagship commitment area. Closely aligned with OCP's mission, member base, and reform coalition model.
- Publish What You Pay: Global coalition of 700+ civil society organizations demanding transparency in extractive industries, including public contracting. Comparable coalition-based model, donor base, and focus on making government contract data open and usable.
- Government Transparency Institute: Research organization producing empirical studies on public procurement corruption and transparency; co-investigated the 3.5M European contract study cited by OCP. Directly comparable as a peer research body influencing the same evidence base.
Others
- Center for Global Development (CGD): Think tank producing independent research on global development, governance, and aid effectiveness. Adjacent peer influencing the same donor and policy ecosystem that funds and shapes OCP's procurement reform agenda.
Emerging players
- Spend Network: UK-based procurement data analytics firm that analyzes government spending patterns globally, partnered with OCP on the Sustainable Public Procurement toolkit. Comparable focus on contract data, but operates as a commercial analytics vendor.
- Open Data Institute (ODI): Non-profit founded by Sir Tim Berners-Lee and Sir Nigel Shadboldt to build an open, trustworthy data ecosystem. Comparable as a UK-based open data advocacy and capacity-building non-profit serving governments and civil society.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Open Contracting Partnership social profiles
Digital presenceOpen Contracting Partnership financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Open Contracting Partnership leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles8 records
Open Contracting Partnership subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Open Contracting Partnership funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
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Open Contracting Partnership M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
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Frequently asked questions about Open Contracting Partnership
What does Open Contracting Partnership do?
Open Contracting Partnership stewards the Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) and delivers bespoke public procurement reform engagements, open-source digital tools, and an 18-month Lift impact accelerator program for governments and civil society. Its products include the Cardinal red-flags library, a public Data Registry, and country-specific platforms such as Prebases, Vigía, MiTiendita Virtual, CREDERE, DREAM and MapaInversiones. Core services span e-procurement evaluation, technical specifications, change management, data-system strengthening, and digital solution design and build.
Is Open Contracting Partnership a public or private company?
Open Contracting Partnership is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Open Contracting Partnership founded?
Open Contracting Partnership was founded in 2015. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Open Contracting Partnership based?
Open Contracting Partnership is headquartered in Washington, United States, in the North America region.
How does Open Contracting Partnership make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Grants and philanthropic funding is the primary driver. The others are professional services and technical assistance.
Who are Open Contracting Partnership's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Development Gateway, Transparency International, ProZorro, OpenOwnership, Open Government Partnership (OGP), Publish What You Pay and Government Transparency Institute. Center for Global Development (CGD) is listed as an others. Emerging players are Spend Network and Open Data Institute (ODI).
Does Open Contracting Partnership have an API?
Yes. Open Contracting Partnership operates a public Data Registry (data.open-contracting.org) and maintains the Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS), publishing machine-readable JSON procurement data. The Ecuador open contracting work is delivered through a public dashboard and API, enabling programmatic access to disclosed contracting data. The OCDS documentation provides implementation guidance for governments and developers to publish and consume standardized procurement data. Developer documentation is at www.open-contracting.org/data-standard/documentation.
What industry is Open Contracting Partnership in?
Open Contracting Partnership's product category is Public Procurement Transparency and Open Government Data Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAIAEAE, Public Procurement & Contracting. Its NAICS code is 5132 and its SIC code is 7370.