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Interface Control Document (ICD)

Updated

The Interface Control Document (ICD) guides agencies on formatting and submitting data to the eOPF system. It covers three feeds: Employee Data Feed (EDF) for employee records, Forms Data Feed (FDF) for loading documents, and Index Data Feed (IDF) for metadata to ensure proper display and search. The ICD also addresses issues like wrong formats, missing fields, duplicates, and mismatches. 

Note: Downloadable versions of the EDF, FDF, and IDF ICDs are located at the bottom of this page.

Recent Changes:

As of 06/02/2026

EDF: 

  • Updated Employee-ID to no longer request use of SSN if the agency lacks a unique identifier for Employee-ID
  • Updated file size limit to 350 MB

IDF: 

  • Updated and added new error codes
  • Updated file size limit to 350 MB

FDF: 

  • Updated file size limit 350 MB

Please see the "Changes Page" within each document for additional information.

Employee Data Feed (EDF)

Purpose:

  • Creates new employee accounts and folders in eOPF

  • Updates employment information (appointments, separations, changes in role or POID)

Examples of data elements:

  • Name

  • SSN

  • POID / Agency Subelement

  • Employment start/end dates

  • Work schedule

Common issues governed by ICD rules:

  • Incorrect date formats

  • Missing employment code fields

  • Invalid POID length or characters

Forms Data Feed (FDF)

Purpose:

  • Loads documents into eOPF, such as SF-50s, benefits forms, agency forms included in MFL

  • Ensures documents attach to the correct person and folder side

Examples of fields defined in ICD:

  • Form number

  • Document date

  • Filename requirements

  • File encoding rules

  • Restrictions that prevent duplication or overwrite

Common problems addressed by the ICD:

  • Duplicate uploads

  • Invalid or missing form numbers

  • Incorrect document metadata

Index Data Feed (IDF)

Purpose:

  • Provides indexing metadata (form number, folder side, type, description, NOA code, etc.)

  • Ensures documents are displayed correctly in eOPF and searchable

  • Links document metadata to OPM’s Master Forms List (MFL)

Examples of fields defined in ICD:

  • Form Number

  • Folder Side (Permanent, Temporary, etc.)

  • Form Type (e.g., Performance Document, Benefits, etc.)

  • NOA code

  • Description

Common issues governed by ICD rules:

  • IDF/EDF mismatches (employment not active for that POID)

  • Invalid form types

  • Incorrect folder side

  • Missing required fields

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