WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today the Federal Geographic Data Committee
announced that all federal agencies now have access to a single
ordering schedule for purchase of their geospatial software needs.
Awarded on September 30, 2009, the new Geospatial SmartBUY includes
five new offerings (compared to the single offering under the current
SmartBUY).
Under a broad initiative supported by the Department of the Interior,
Federal agencies will be able improve their efficiency and save
taxpayers money by consolidating their purchases of geospatial software
under the government-wide Geospatial Line of Business (LoB). The
Federal Geographic Data Committee, which is hosted by the Interior
Department, includes 32 member federal agencies. The new arrangement
made by the FGDC, however, will be available to all federal agencies as
well as state, tribal and local governments.
An interagency team composed of representatives from across the Federal
community worked with the U.S. General Services Administration SmartBUY
Team to implement a multi-vendor Blanket Purchase Agreement. The new
BPA will provide small, medium, and large government users a common
portfolio of geospatial software technology options. Types of software
within the agreement include web-based visualization, imagery analysis,
geo-coding, and geospatial analytics and modeling. These tools will
facilitate increased consistency of data creation and use as well as
provide effective tools for utilizing place-based information in
decision-making and management processes.
Suppliers receiving awards include: Science Applications International
Corporation for SAIC GeoRover software at http://www.saic.com/about/;
Planet Associates Inc. for Planet Infrastructure Relationship
Management software at http://www.planet-gis.com/index.html;
Imager Software, Inc. for ISC MapDotNet software at http://www.isc.ca/;
ONIX Networking Corporation for Google and CubeWerx software at http://www.onixnet.com/. These
geospatial information systems software providers offer a range of
solutions for sophisticated geodata -creating agencies, geodata
consumers, and a wide variety of other potential users.
For vendors and agencies alike, the new Geospatial SmartBUY will help
reduce costs and streamline administration, while improving access to
high- quality commercial geospatial software and related support
products. The old SmartBUY agreement will continue in force adding to
agency options. This SmartBUY will make geospatial technology more
accessible while bringing transparency to the purchasing process.
Agencies can begin ordering immediately on GSA Advantage (www.gsaadvantage.gov) or using
GSA’s e-Buy system (www.ebuy.gsa.gov). For additional
information on the SmartBUY program, visit www.gsa.gov/smartbuy.
For more information on this program or the FGDC Geospatial Line of
Business, please contact Lew Sanford Jr.: lsanford@fgdc.gov or
703-648-4152. For further information on activities: www.fgdc.gov/geospatial-lob.
Official DOI News Release [PDF]