Data Collection System (DCS)

December 2022 Updates
Brief Overview

The Data Collection System (DCS) is used by RUS Electric Distribution and Power Supply Borrowers to submit 

their financial and operating reports and upload their audits. 

Telecom Borrowers with no ReConnect, Broadband Initiatives Program, or Farm Bill awards continue to use DCS, 

while Telecom Borrowers with these awards now report in the new ReConnect Reporting and Compliance (R&C) 

system.

On August 17, 2020, Microsoft announced that it will no longer be supporting Internet Explorer (IE) version 11 

software under certain versions of Windows 10 effective June 15, 2022. DCS has been updated to function 

under both Microsoft Edge and Google Chrome.

This update necessitated the replacement of the screens utilizing a “grid” component similar to a table view. The 

data entry point on each “grid” screen has been replaced with a simpler data-entry pop-up window. The look and 

feel of DCS has not changed for the majority of the DCS screens. 
DCS Screen Changes

The following DCS Distribution and Power Supply “grid” screens have been replaced with a data-entry pop-up 

window:

Distribution Power Supply

Part K: kWh Purchased And Total Cost Part b SE: Sales of Electricity

Part L: Long-Term Leases Part b PP: Purchased Power

Part N: Long-Term Debt and Debt Service Part c RE: Renewable Generating Plant Summary

Requirements Parts d - g: Generating Units (Section A: Total Plant & 

Part Q Section I: Investments Borrower’s Share)

Part Q Section II: Loan Guarantees Part h: Section F: Sub Section I: Investments

Part Q Section IV: Loans Part h: Section F: Sub Section II: Loan Guarantees

Part h: Section F: Sub Section IV: Loans

Part h: Section H: Long-Term Debt and Debt Service 

Requirements

Part h: Section K: Long-Term Leases

Part i: Section B: Facilities In Service 
DCS Screen Changes (cont.)

On each of the replaced “Grid” screens the following updates have been made:

• New Pop-up Window for Data Entry

• Revised User Instructions at the top of each screen

• New process for saving a record – Double Save

• Revised Delete checkbox column

• New Sort Option on all applicable columns

• New location to view Comments
Instructions: Double Save

Instructions on the “grid” screens:

Click the “Copy Forward” button to carry over data from the prior year submission.

To add a row, click the “Add New Row” button and follow the instructions on the pop-up window.

To modify a row, click within the row and follow the instructions on the pop-up window.

To delete a row, click the delete checkbox (X) at the beginning of the row.

You must also click the [Save*] button below after adding, modifying, or deleting any row(s).

Click on the column header to sort.

Instructions on the pop-up window:

Enter data and click the “Save” button to update.

Also click the “Save*” button on the previous screen to complete the save.

Click the “Exit” button to return to the previous screen without saving.
Double Save Example – First Save

The First 

Save is 

on the 

Pop-Up 

Screen
Double Save Example – Second Save

The 

Second 

Save* is 

on the 

Main 

Screen
DCS Updates

The following slides display samples of the 

screen changes for the previous “grid” 

screens vs the current pop-up windows.
Distribution Part K: kWh Purchased And Total Cost 

Previous Current
Pop-up Data Entry Window for 

Part K: kWh Purchased and Total Cost
Distribution Part Q Section IV: Loans

Previous Current
Pop-up Data Entry Window for 

Distribution Part Q Section IV: Loans
Power Supply Part h: Section F: Sub Section IV: Loans

Previous Current
Pop-up Data Entry Window for 

Power Supply Part h: Section F: Sub Section IV: Loans
DCS Plant Screen

Previous Current
Pop-up Data Entry Window for Plant Units Total Plant
Pop-up Data Entry Window for Plant Units Borrower’s Share
Part b SE: Sales of Electricity

Previous Current
New Location to View Comments

Comments are now entered 

through the Data Entry Pop-up 

Window and displayed in the 

last column on the Main Screen.
Pop-up Data Entry Window for Power Supply Part b SE: 

Sales of Electricity

Entry field for Comment
DCS Resources

For additional information on DCS please reference the Electric Program web page at: 

https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/electric-programs.

Under Electric Program Links, expand Resource Links to view the Data Collection System

documents.