Demystifying TDR: What Manufacturers Need to Know About Transactional Data Reporting

As federal procurement evolves, manufacturers working with GSA contracts must adapt to new reporting requirements. One of the most significant changes in recent years has been the shift to Transactional Data Reporting (TDR). While the term itself can sound daunting, understanding what it means—and how to manage it effectively—can create real advantages for manufacturers pursuing federal business.

In our most recent Catalyst Conversation, we broke down TDR and its implications for manufacturers. Here are the key takeaways:

1. What TDR Is (and Why It Matters)

Transactional Data Reporting requires contractors to submit detailed sales data to the GSA on a regular basis. Unlike the old system, where compliance was tied heavily to the Price Reduction Clause (PRC) and tracking a Basis of Award customer, TDR shifts the focus to data transparency.

In practice, this means manufacturers must regularly report transaction-level information—who bought, what they bought, how much they paid, and through which channel.

Michelle Warren noted that this transparency is reshaping procurement: “GSA is using this information not just for oversight, but to drive category management and influence how agencies buy. That makes your accuracy and consistency in reporting even more important.”

2. TDR Simplifies Some Compliance Burdens

One of the most discussed benefits of TDR is that it eliminates the need to monitor and comply with the Price Reduction Clause. Under the old model, manufacturers had to constantly check that their government customers weren’t paying more than a specific commercial customer class.

With TDR, that requirement goes away—replaced with regular reporting.

Ryan Hay emphasized that this can be a relief for many manufacturers: “The PRC was a heavy lift, and frankly a liability if you didn’t catch a discrepancy. TDR doesn’t remove responsibility, but it does simplify compliance and let you focus on sales.”

3. Data Quality Is Critical

Because TDR feeds into GSA’s decision-making, accuracy is everything. Mistakes in part numbers, categories, or pricing not only create compliance risk but may also distort how your products are perceived in terms of value and competitiveness.

Patrick Carr warned that sloppy data can be just as damaging as missed deadlines: “If your reporting shows inconsistent prices or mismatched SKUs, that’s how GSA will see your business. Poor data isn’t just a compliance issue—it’s a reputation issue.”

Key actions to improve accuracy:

• Standardize product and part number data across systems.

• Reconcile sales regularly to avoid mismatches at reporting deadlines.

• Assign internal ownership for reviewing data before submission.

4. TDR Is Here to Stay—Plan for Long-Term Success

Though some manufacturers hoped TDR would be temporary, the reality is that GSA is expanding its use, not pulling it back. Now is the time to invest in processes and systems that make reporting efficient and scalable.

Forward-looking companies are even using their TDR data for competitive intelligence—tracking which products agencies buy most, spotting demand shifts, and shaping pricing strategies accordingly.

Michelle reminded attendees: “You can look at this as just another reporting burden—or you can use it as a lens into how the market is moving. The companies who do the latter will stay ahead.”

5. The Bottom Line: TDR Is a Tool, Not Just a Requirement

Yes, TDR adds responsibility. But it also reduces the compliance burden of the PRC and levels the playing field with clearer data. Manufacturers who embrace it as a tool—not just a mandate—will be more competitive and better positioned to win in the federal marketplace.

Ryan summed it up well: “The companies that treat TDR as a compliance box to check will always feel behind. The ones who treat it as business intelligence will find ways to grow.”

Final Thoughts

TDR isn’t going away. By investing in data accuracy, viewing reporting as strategic rather than transactional, and leaning into the simplification it brings, manufacturers can stay compliant while also unlocking insights that drive growth.

At Catalyst Consulting Group, we help manufacturers cut through the complexity of changes like TDR—turning compliance challenges into opportunities for smarter strategy and stronger sales.

👉 Join us next month for our next Catalyst Conversation, where we’ll continue to share insights and practical guidance for navigating the evolving federal marketplace.