Imagery for the Nation Update and Next Steps

1. Imagery for the NationUpdate and Next Steps FGDC Coordination Group Vicki Lukas U.S. Geological Survey October 13, 2009

2. IFTN Phase 1 Project Goals • Develop an initial, foundational plan for IFTN • Comprehensively document Federal imagery requirements and expenditures • Begin to institutionalize imagery funding – move from the “tin cup” approach of project-based funding to reliable funding at the executive level • Model a process for Federal enterprise geospatial data acquisition efforts • Complete Phase 1 by end of calendar year 2008 (but needed to adjust to ExCom guidance and transition)

3. Accomplishments • A survey of Federal imagery requirements was conducted in fall, 2008 • Federal contract vehicles to acquire imagery products and services were surveyed to provide a baseline for Federal agencies and their partners • A survey of airborne and satellite industries showed that two times or more the capacity exists to fully implement IFTN • An MOU was signed between USDA and DOI to institutionalize funding for the 1-meter component • On 12/19 a draft executive summary was presented to the ExCom; ExCom provided guidance to further refine the 1-foot strategy and define a governance process • On 8/20 a record of decision was approved to document the basic agreements to complete the IFTN plan

4. Record of Decision • Purpose is to document and share decisions on key strategies/policy issues • Forms basis for completion of IFTN Phase 1 report for review • Approved by Executive Committee on August 20 • Available on fgdc.gov/iftn

5. Technical Design: 2 Components High-resolution component • Leaf-on imagery • 1 meter resolution and buy-up options for half meter • National coverage: conterminous U.S. on an annual cycle with Alaska and Hawaii on 3-5 year cycles • Full funding from the Federal government • Buy-up options to be funded by the requesting party • Management by FSA

6. Technical Design: 2 Components Very-high resolution component • Leaf-off imagery • 1 foot and greater resolution • Federal funding provided for each state every three years • Funding amount determined by pro-rated square mileage and approximately equal to 50% of the cost to image the state • Intergovernmental statewide councils determine the area of coverage with consensus of FGDC governing bodies • Buy-up options to be funded by the requesting party • Management by USGS

7. Technical Design • Future changes in resolution and/or other characteristics to take advantage of new technologies and meet evolving needs will be made through the IFTN governance process

8. Priority Setting • The IFTN governance structure, under the FGDC will be used to oversee priority-setting in the long-term • The Technical Plan Work Group is developing a preliminary priority-based framework for the IFTN to be coordinated across the Federal, state and local communities • Implementation will establish performance metrics to be reviewed on a regular basis • IFTN priority framework will be reviewed regularly

9. IFTN Governance • The Executive Committee will provide policy-level guidance, develop funding strategies, monitor implementation, and provide for stakeholder input via the National Geospatial Advisory Committee (NGAC) • The National Digital Orthophoto Program (NDOP) will be re-chartered as an FGDC subcommittee to provide operational-level coordination • A virtual, interagency Program Management Office (PMO) will be staffed by key agencies to provide project and performance management, coordination, and communication support to NDOP and the ExCom • The Farm Services Agency (FSA) as administrator of NAIP, will manage and provide contracting for the high-resolution, leaf-on component of IFTN • The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) will manage and provide contracting for the very high-resolution, leaf-off component of the IFTN; USGS will also facilitate partnerships through the USGS Geospatial Liaison network • Statewide geospatial councils, or designated state agencies, will coordinate stakeholder communities to develop business plans and identify and fund buy-ups

10. Funding Strategy • A “Managing Partner” for IFTN will be identified for FY2010 • The PMO will be jointly funded in FY2010; the managing partner will fund a lead position; the ExCom will identify additional staff resources • The PMO will develop agreements for long-term funding commitments between agencies • FGDC agencies will align existing image acquisition expenditures with IFTN Plan objectives as appropriate • The ExCom will coordinate the development of a FY2011 IFTN budget initiative to include two coordinated requests from USDA and DOI • FY2011 appropriation language will be drafted to create specific IFTN line items in USDA and DOI budgets • USDA and DOI will establish IFTN working capital funds to accommodate the potential need to carry-forward funds and re-capitalize infrastructure

11. Contracting Strategy • Through an industry survey and RFI to the private sector, conclude that the industry has the capacity to support the size and scope of IFTN • Based analysis of existing Federal contracting, adequate expertise to lead and manage imagery acquisition for a program of the size and scope of IFTN is available • All IFTN large business prime contractors should be encouraged to use small businesses and will be required to submit small business subcontracting plans when applicable • The decision rests with the Federal Contracting Officers to determine the appropriate approach for each IFTN contract; both Best Value and Quality-Based Selection (QBS) procurement procedures may be used • Sealed bidding (low bid) should not be used; evaluation criteria based on technical merit should be the primary basis for source selection for IFTN • Involvement of a technical expert is critical in the development of specifications and task orders • An integrated contract approach should be considered, to maximize airborne and satellite image acquisitions and processing capacities

12. Data Hosting and Archiving • To be based on existing infrastructure with the very-high resolution component hosted by USGS EROS and the high resolution component hosted by USDA Aerial Photography Field Office • High-level requirements include public access at no charge and 24/7 availability • A common portal to all data regardless of data location will be provided • The data portal will be discoverable within Geospatial One Stop and data.gov • Copies of IFTN datasets will be made available to NARA for long-term archiving

13. Program Innovations The following innovations will be explored after the Phase 1 plan is completed: • An integrated contracting approach or joint program office • A contracting approach that will engage private industry, both airborne and satellite firms, to creatively address the requirements of IFTN • A process to: • Gather specific, authoritative Federal imagery requirements and expenditures • Assess the requirements in terms of a cyclical program • Prioritize the requirements relative to available funding levels

14. Next Steps • Communications to stakeholders: FGDC Steering Committee, Coordination Group, NGAC, COGO and others • Technical Plan Work Group developing an initial prioritization framework • Further develop funding strategy and approach for full and incremental funding scenarios • Revise the draft executive summary for review – goal is early next fiscal year (Oct.)

15. Endorsements of IFTN • National Geospatial Advisory Committee – endorsed IFTN with caveats, also endorsed the Record of Decision • Association of American Geographers (AAG) • Association of State Wetland Managers (ASWM) • Association of American State Geographers (AASG) • Mid-America GIS Consortium • National Association of Counties (NACo) • National Emergency Numbers Association (NENA) • National States Geographic Information Council (NSGIC) • University Consortium for Geographic Information Science (UCGIS) • Urban/Regional Information Systems Association (URISA) • Western Governors Association (WGA)