The Federal Research Division (FRD) is a fee-based research and analysis unit within the Library of Congress. It provides customized products and services to U.S. government agencies, the government of the District of Columbia, and authorized federal contractors. Using the Library’s extensive English and foreign-language collections, open-source materials, and staff expertise, FRD produces impartial and comprehensive studies for its clients on a cost-recovery basis.
FRD oversees the Federal Research Program, which was authorized by Congress as part of the Library of Congress Fiscal Operations Improvement Act of 2000 (2 U.S.C. § 182c). The division is part of the Library Enterprises Directorate, which houses two additional self-supporting units. The directorate sits within the Office of the Chief Operating Officer, along with several other Library components.