**SECTION C \-- Descriptions and Specifications**

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  **C.1**   **C303 - Description/Specifications/SOW**

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**1 - PURPOSE**

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) requires professional mapping services
to provide the timely production of graphics and of spatial vector and
raster digital data to support USGS production goals. The USGS focus is
to address the mapping needs of various Federal and State agencies,
local governments, and individual customers by populating and
maintaining databases of mapping and geospatial data from which products
can be made through the use of partnership relationships with private
contractors. This broad-based contract will serve to accelerate the
populating of the databases, meet customer expectations, and will ensure
meeting USGS mission requirements.

**2 - GENERAL**

2.1 - Except for those items specifically identified in Clause C303, 3.6
of this contract and in individual task orders as Government furnished,
the contractor, operating as an independent contractor and not as an
agent of the Government, shall furnish all facilities, labor, material,
and equipment necessary to provide goods and services in accordance with
the terms, conditions and specifications set forth below. The contractor
shall plan, schedule, and coordinate performance of all work associated
with task orders in accordance with the requirements described in
Section C. Products and services to be acquired under these multiple
award ID/IQ A&E contracts will include photogrammetric mapping, survey
and control services including cadastral surveying, aerotriangulation,
and some types of first generation type orthophotography when it is not
available as a commercial product that meets project requirements. When
it is determined by a Contracting Officer(s) and their technical staff
that a particular project substantially or to a dominant extent,
specifies performance or approval by a registered or licensed architect
or engineer or professional photogrammetrist other services may be
acquired such as thematic mapping, e.g. land characterization, product
generation, GIS Services, multi-temporal data, hyper-spectral data ,
acquisition of ancillary data, photo and image manipulation and
interpretation, map digitizing, metadata creation, image scanning and
processing, product validation, standard products such as DEM's, DLG's,
DRG's, second generation type Orthophoto, LIDAR, IFSAR, and satellite
data. This could include performing the professional photogrammetric
mapping, related surveying work and photointerpretation required to
furnish the USGS with hard copy and soft copy imagery or maps, digital
datasets of land features, digital terrain data, change analysis,
reports, and other data together with supporting material developed
during the field data acquisition process, as may be required for
various projects requested by the National Geospatial Program Office
(NGPO) of the USGS. Other USGS disciplines, other Department of the
Interior bureaus, other Federal and State agencies, and local
governments may be provided support in conjunction with a negotiated
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) or interagency agreement with the
NGPO.

2.2 -- Since USGS mapping products are frequently used to support end
user activities such as basic site planning, land use/land cover
classification and planning, terrain analysis, resource monitoring,
census, and geographic information system (GIS) studies, overall project
management shall be performed by a professional photogrammetrist or
registered/licensed professional engineer with demonstrated skills in
all phases of this scope of work. During the performance of the work,
the contractor shall provide adequate professional supervision and
quality control to assure the timeliness, accuracy, quality,
completeness, and progress of the work.

2.3 - Unless specifically stated otherwise, the term \"contractor,\" as
used in this Clause and in this contract, shall be interpreted as the
prime contractor and any approved subcontractor performing work under
the contract.

**3 - STATEMENT OF WORK**

**3.1 - SCOPE**

The contractor shall have the capability to provide all
services/products described in the Statement of Work. The nature of the
work to be performed under this contract primarily involves the
photogrammetric and mapping sciences and includes, but is not limited
to:

\> photogrammetric mapping;

\> first generation orthophotography services;

\> survey and control services including cadastral surveying and the use
of Global Positioning System (GPS);

\> photogrammetric aerotriangulation.

When it is determined by a Contracting Officer(s) and their technical
staff that a particular project substantially or to a dominant extent,
specifies performance or approval by a registered or licensed architect
or engineer or professional photogrammetrist other services may be
acquired such as but not be limited to:

\> thematic Mapping, e.g., land characterization;

\> product generation of new or revised standard and non-standard
graphic products, graphic publication separates, and standard and
non-standard digital products meeting USGS and other specifications;

\> analog and digital imagery applications;

\> geographic information system services which may include web mapping
services;

\> acquisition and processing of primary source data, e.g., aerial
photography, LIDAR, IFSAR, all other forms of digital sensor system
technologies and satellite data,

\> multi-temporal, multi-spectral, and hyper-spectral data acquisition;

\> acquisition of ancillary data, e.g., boundaries, name information,
road classification guides;

\> the ancillary use of ground-based and airborne GPS as part of the
production process of other data;

\> photo and image manipulation and interpretation;

\> map digitizing (both vector and raster);

\> data manipulations, e.g., transformations, conversions, integration
and conflation;

\> metadata creation;

\> image scanning and processing; and

\> validating deliverables produced by other contractors and other
providers.

Deliverables include, but are not limited to: products supporting the
National Digital Orthophoto Program (NDOP), the National Digital
Elevation Program (NDEP), standard USGS products defined by formal and
informal product specifications and standards, such as Digital Line
Graphs (DLGs) and the National Hydrographic Dataset (NHD), Digital
Elevation Models (DEMs) and the National Elevation Dataset (NED),
Digital Orthophoto Quadrangles (DOQs), Digital Raster Graphics (DRGs),
National Aerial Photography Program (NAPP) photography, and graphic
products; thematic datasets; evolving products under development; and
non-standard and custom graphic and digital products, and associated
metadata. All deliverables shall meet all applicable international,
national and Federal information technology and geographic information
standards, particularly those identified by the Federal Geographic Data
Committee (FGDC) as supporting the National Spatial Data Infrastructure
(NSDI). Some tasks may require the use of a classified facility (not
mandatory).

Work shall be performed within a quality system and deliverables shall
meet quality standards based upon defined formal and informal
specifications and standards. Product deliveries shall meet defined
schedules. Multiple individual task orders will be issued for the NGPO
which will state project specific information.

**3.2 - TELECOMMUNICATIONS**

**3.2.1 - INTERNET CONNECTION.**

The contractor shall set up Internet telecommunications with the USGS
for the primary purposes of transmitting digital deliverables and
receiving digital files provided by the USGS as Government-furnished
property. The contractor is required to submit digital deliverables by
Internet, unless alternative delivery methods are specified by the USGS
in a task order. The USGS will identify a directory to store the
deliverable on a USGS computer at a USGS site. All expenses for
deliveries to the USGS shall be paid by the contractor.

**3.2.2 - ELECTRONIC MAIL SERVICE.**

The contractor shall also establish an electronic mail service link with
the USGS for the primary purposes of exchanging contract or task order
documents, receiving product standards and other task-specific
information, and submitting task status reports. At some point in the
life of this contract, the USGS may adopt the use of electronic security
devices to safeguard electronic mail exchanges between the contractor
and USGS contracting personnel. When required by the USGS, the USGS will
provide the necessary technical expertise, hardware (other than the
platform), software, installation, and training. Any necessary hardware
or software will be provided to the contractor rent-free but title of
such hardware or software shall remain with the USGS. (See section I,
clause 52.245-2 Alt I)

**3.3 - TECHNICAL FLEXIBILITY & TRAINING**

**3.3.1 - TECHNICAL FLEXIBILITY.**

In order to maximize productivity and meet the evolving needs of users,
changes are occasionally made to the standards in hard copy or soft copy
form. Changes may require modifications in operating practices and
software. The contractor shall maintain the flexibility to adapt to such
changes. The USGS will provide assistance in support of major
specification changes.

Modification to technical capabilities may become necessary at some time
in the life of the contract. This may be the result of the redefinition
of the product to accommodate user needs and to maximize production
potential. The NGPO will publicize these developments in advance of
implementation and the contractor shall be responsible for keeping
abreast of such developments. In addition, the NGPO will provide advance
information on future products directly to the contractor. The
contractor shall familiarize himself with the new product information in
the event these new products are ordered under this contract. It is
anticipated that the general theory of data collection will remain the
same, but that the encoding rules and product format may be modified
based on modernization concepts. The USGS will adhere to the agreed upon
standards and product specifications for a given project, but cannot
guarantee this for the life of the contract.

Any \"changes\" as referred to in sections 3.3.1 and 3.3.2, above, will
be issued in accordance with Section I Clause 52.243-1, Changes-Fixed
Price, Alternate III.

**3.3.2 - TRAINING.**

Following award of this contract, and with input from the contractor,
the USGS will evaluate the need to provide training to facilitate the
contractor\'s understanding of the requirements contained in this
contract. At times, this training could be held at a USGS facility, or
at the contractor\'s site, or through teleconferencing. The NGPO will
provide training in support of any task order product or service if the
contractor believes that such training is essential to successful task
order completion. Transportation, per diem, and any other costs incurred
by contractor employees who attend such training will be borne in full
by the contractor and are not allocable or allowable costs under this
contract.

**3.4 - PUBLICATIONS & STANDARDS**

**3.4.1 - PUBLICATIONS.**

The NGPO Geospatial Standards are a suite of technical documents that
describe the specifications for NGPO digital and graphic products.

**3.4.2 - STANDARDS**

**3.4.2.1 - General.**

Because the USGS is a participant on the FGDC, existing NGPO standards,
as well as NGPO standards under development, are transitioning toward
compliance with international, national, and Federal information
technology and geographic information standards that support the NSDI.
Some of these standards that guide the development of NGPO standards
include:

\(a\) FGDC-STD-001-1998: Content Standard for Digital Geospatial
Metadata (version 2.0);

\(b\) FGDC-STD-003: Cadastral Data Content Standard;

\(c\) FGDC-STD-007.1-1998: Geospatial Positioning Accuracy Standard Part
1: Reporting Methodology;

\(d\) FGDC-STD-007.3-1998: Geospatial Positioning Accuracy Standard Part
3: National Spatial Data Accuracy Standard;

\(e\) FGDC-STD-008-1999: Content Standard for Digital Orthoimagery.

Information regarding the activities of the FGDC, or the NSDI can be
found at the following web site:

http://www.fgdc.gov/standards

**3.4.2.2 - NGPO Standards.**

Unless modified, augmented, or clarified in a task order, all
deliverables requested and delivered under this contract shall be
compliant with:

\(a\) standards documents cited in clause C303, 3.4.2.1 above;

\(b\) current applicable NGPO Standards;

\(c\) Appendix B, NAPP Specifications and Requirements;

\(d\) Appendix C, Digital Orthophoto Quadrangle (DOQ) Specifications and
Requirements;

\(e\) any customer-supplied standards, technical instructions, or other
guidance documents, which would be cited in and provided with the task
order; and

\(f\) other applicable standards listed in clause C303, 3.4.2.3 below.

**3.4.2.3 - Other Applicable Standards.**

Other standards or technical instructions that will apply include:

\(a\) National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Federal
Information Processing Standards Publications (FIPS PUBS):

\(1\) Unless specified otherwise in task orders, all deliverables must
conform to the relevant portion or portions of the current version of
the NIST FIPS PUBS designated as mandatory.

\(2\) FIPS PUBS are sold by the National Technical Information Service
(NTIS). Requests for single or quantity orders of FIPS PUBS should be
sent to:

> National Technical Information Service (NTIS)
>
> U.S. Department of Commerce
>
> 5285 Port Royal Road
>
> Springfield, VA 22161
>
> Web site: http://csrc.nist.gov/publications/fips/index.html

**3.4.2.4. - Conformance to Evolving Standards.**

The contractor shall plan for the evolution of the standards to which
geographic information is selected, represented, and communicated during
the life of the contract. Contractors shall to be able to support
emerging standards quickly, if not immediately, upon their release. The
contractor is expected to engage in the standards-development process in
order to understand the technologies and requirements of emerging
standards. Relevant standards organizations are listed in Section
3.4.2.5.

**3.4.2.5 Sources of Emerging Standards.**

These are two main sources of emerging standards in the domain of
geographic information, as listed below with their web sites:

\> The FGDC, http://www.fgdc.gov/

\> The Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC), http://www.opengeospatial.org

The contractor is encouraged to monitor the web pages published by these
organizations to identify the technologies needed to support emerging
standards. For example, selecting \"All OGC Specifications\" at the OGC
page provides access to a downloadable list of Abstract Specifications,
Implementation Specifications, and Recommendation Papers.

**3.4.2.6 - Introduction of New Standards.**

As new products are developed, their accompanying standards will appear
as drafts. After new or revised standards are finalized they will be
incorporated by unilateral contract modification into this contract. The
USGS should always be consulted prior to the start of each task order to
confirm the correct standards version.

**3.5 - QUALITY CONTROL & QUALITY ASSURANCE**

**3.5.1 - GENERAL.**

Quality is a key element of this contract. Many task orders will require
the production of a large number of data items with few, if any, errors
tolerated. Achieving virtually error free production requires a
conscientious and comprehensive quality program that consistently builds
quality into the product. The USGS must have full confidence in the
quality of the deliverable to allow the USGS to use statistical sampling
techniques to minimize the deliverable acceptance process. To achieve
this level of quality, all work shall be performed within a quality
system that complies with ANSI/ISO/ASQC 9001- 2000.

**3.5.2 - QUALITY SYSTEM.**

The contractor\'s quality system, shall, at a minimum, be composed of
the basic quality system elements in ANSI/ISO/ ASQC Q9001-2000, Quality
Management Systems. In accordance with Section E clause 52.246-4,
Inspection of Services-Fixed Price, the USGS reserves the right to
inspect all contractor processes and documentation to assess the
contractor\'s compliance with and commitment to the basic Quality
System. The ANSI/ISO/ASQC Standard Q9001-2000 can be purchased from:

American Society for Quality (ASQ) American National Standards Institute
(ANSI)

611 East Wisconsin Avenue 11 West 42 Street

P.O. Box 3005 New York, NY 10036

Milwaukee, WI 53201-3005

# Phone: (800)-248-1946, (414)-272-8575 Phone: (212)-642-4900

Web site: http://www.asq.org Web site: http://www.ansi.org

**3.6 - GOVERNMENT-FURNISHED PROPERTY (GFP)**

The USGS will normally provide the contractor with one or more of the
following GFP items to support various mapping task orders, if
available, and in accordance with the following paragraphs, Clause
H1480, and Section I Clauses 52.245-2, Government-Furnished Property,
Alternate I, and 52.245-19, Government Property Furnished \'As Is,\' of
this contract. The task order will stipulate which of the Section I
Government-Furnished Property clauses will apply to each GFP item being
provided.

**3.6.1 - IMAGERY SOURCE.**

If available and when appropriate, the USGS will provide imagery to the
contractor to support various mapping projects in the form of NAPP
photography or low flying photography (film positives or prints), DOQs,
Image Derived Product (IDP), or satellite imagery products. The
contractor shall have the capabilities to use imagery source as part of
an overall mapping process. When suitable imagery is not available, the
USGS will authorize the contractor to acquire the necessary imagery in
accordance with Clause C303, 3.8 or 3.9. The contractor shall have the
necessary equipment and personnel to acquire imagery source if
authorized.

**3.6.2 - SOFT COPY MAP SOURCE.**

If available and when appropriate, the USGS will normally provide the
contractor with soft copy map source, such as DLGs, CFFs, DRGs, Arc
coverages, Topologically Integrated Geographic Encoding and Reference
system (TIGER) data, other mapping organization (OMO) data, etc., for a
given project area. The contractor shall have the capability to convert,
integrate, and conflate soft copy map sources of various scales and
datums as part of an overall mapping process to produce updated,
revised, or new product deliverables.

**3.6.3 - ORIGINAL MAP SOURCE.**

If imagery source or soft copy map source is not available, or if the
contractor\'s process requires them, the USGS may provide the contractor
with a set of stable base film reproductions (positive or negative) of
the original map color separations for quadrangles in a given project
area. The contractor shall have the capability to use USGS supplied hard
copy map source as part of an overall mapping project effort.

**3.6.4 - ANCILLARY MATERIAL/DATA.**

Depending on the requested deliverable, the USGS will research,
evaluate, and provide the contractor with ancillary (project support)
material or data, such as published topographic maps, Geographic Names
Information System (GNIS) names listings, extracts from Federal
Information Processing Standards Publication 55 (FIPS PUBS 55),
locations of established vertical and horizontal control, boundaries,
built-up area guides, road classification guides, etc. The contractor
shall have the capability to effectively use these sources, some of
which may require conversion by the contractor, as part of an overall
mapping project effort.

**3.6.5 - AVAILABLE USGS SOFTWARE.**

If there is public domain USGS (or other) software for the creation,
processing, and verification of some of the USGS standard products that
may be requested under this contract, it will be provided to the
contractor upon request.

**3.7 - METADATA REQUIREMENT**

For each deliverable requested in a task order, the USGS will state
whether or not the contractor is required to submit metadata to
accompany the deliverable. Some task orders may require the contractor
to provide a hard copy report or complete a USGS-prepared form for only
a portion of the metadata description. In other task orders, the
contractor shall provide a complete, FGDC-compliant metadata in XML
format that can be validated using Metadata Parser (mp) software.
Metadata received from the Contractor shall be in a form that enables
the metadata to be imported and processed by the metadata-parser (mp)
software, or equivalent. Metadata received from the Contractor shall be
delivered in the same delivered package as the data.

The Contractor shall ensure that the metadata delivered is compliant
with the Federal Geographic Data Committee Standard \"Content Standard
for Digital Geospatial Metadata\", FGDC-STD-001-1998. A free copy of
FGDC-STD-001-1998 is available at
<http://www.fgdc.gov/metadata/contstan.html>.

At some point in the life of this contract, the USGS may provide the
contractor with software tools for collecting metadata. Prior to
requiring the contractor to provide metadata using the software tool,
the USGS will provide the necessary technical expertise, software, and
training. The software tool will be provided to the contractor rent-free
but title of such software shall remain with the USGS.

Metadata received from the Contractor shall, at the USGS's discretion,
be subject to inspection prior to acceptance. Metadata received from the
Contractor must be capable of being imported and processed by the
metadata-parser (mp) software (see web site
<http://geology.usgs.gov/tools/metadata/tools/doc/mp.html> for a free
copy of the mp software), or equivalent, free of errors. The USGS will
notify the Contractor of any rejected metadata within the time limits
negotiated in individual task orders Any metadata rejected by the USGS
will be returned to the Contractor for correction and returned to the
USGS within 60 days from the rejection notification date.

**3.8 -- GEOSPATIAL PRODUCTS AND SERVICES**

**3.8.1 -- AERIAL DATA ACQUISITION**

**3.8.1.1 -- General -- Film and Digital.**

When not provided by the USGS as GFP, the contractor or subcontractor
shall have access to the aircraft, equipment, film laboratory,
personnel, and expertise to acquire, control, and process aerial data to
serve as source for aerotriangulation, orthophotography, high resolution
topography products and map compilation and revision processes. It is
anticipated that some tasks will require aerial photography acquired to
the specifications of the National Aerial Photography Program (NAPP),
although other tasks will require a departure from those specifications
to meet specific task requirements. Task orders may request vertical or
oblique aerial photography, request that photography be controlled by
ground-based or airborne Global Positioning System (GPS) and Inertial
Measurement Unit (IMU) means, and may require the use of either black &
white, color, black & white infrared, or color-infrared film. For
reference, the specifications for NAPP photography is contained in
Appendix B, NAPP Specifications and Requirements.

The USGS recognizes that there are numerous data providers, using a wide
variety of digital sensor systems, providing geospatial products to the
user community. The USGS quality assurance plan for digital imagery
products is to place the responsibility the various aspects of quality
at the source. The current version of the guidelines are in Appendix B.2
Guidelines for Quality Assurance of Digital Imagery. The plan is
composed of four elements: 1) manufacturers calibration process; 2) data
providers best practices to ensure that the sensor system remains in
good operating order; 3) the contracting process to select qualified
contractors who have well calibrated systems and good operating
procedures; and 4) the quality checking of final products delivered by
the contractor. These elements are discussed in detail in these
guidelines and, if used, will lead to more quality assurance of products
for the end-user. More information is available at the following web
site:

http://calval.cr.usgs.gov/crs/calibration.php

**3.8.1.2 - Calibrated Camera System.**

In general, all cameras/sensors, both analog and digital, used for any
image acquisition tasks under this contract must have a current
calibration report. To meet NAPP photography requests using an analog
camera, the contractor or his subcontractor shall possess camera systems
which meet the requirements contained in Appendix B.1, USGS Aerial
Camera Specifications, as determined by a current USGS camera
calibration test report. For digital cameras/sensors, a manufacturers
calibration report must be provided to the USGS. The use of Digital
sensor systems shall in general follow the guidelines in Appendix B.2
Guidelines for Quality Assurance of Digital Imagery. It is expected that
these guidelines will evolve over the life of the contract.

**3.8.1.3 - Deliverables/Task Orders.**

Deliverables typically associated with aerial data collection requests
include, but not limited to, standard analog photography and digital
acquisitions to include LIDAR, IfSAR, RADAR, digital multi-spectral and
hyper-spectral imaging, including all other forms of digital sensor
system technologies.

Task orders requesting aerial photography deliverables may be written
with reference to Appendix B, but could be modified, augmented, or
clarified to accommodate photography requests in any other format as
required for particular projects.

**3.8.2 - SURVEY AND CONTROL SERVICES**

**3.8.2.1 - General.**

Survey and control services may be required under this contract to
support photogrammetric mapping and other types of projects. The
contractor shall provide survey crews with professional survey personnel
and equipment capable of performing observations and measurements that
meet the required accuracy necessary for controlling aerial photography
and supporting photogrammetric mapping efforts. Some tasks may require
the use of ground-based or airborne GPS systems. Typical activities
associated with survey and control services include the following:

\> Recovering existing survey marks (control) and monumenting new
control;

\> Establishing, densifying, or connecting third- and fourth-order
horizontal and vertical control networks using standard engineering
traverse, differential leveling, GPS, or electronic total measurement
techniques;

\> Determining the minimum horizontal and vertical control points with
supplemental control points required for individual stereoscopic models;

\> Surveying vertical and horizontal control points within a closed
traverse or closed level loop with reference to annotated control photos
and to a stated datum, and recording observations. At a minimum, the
contractor shall be able to survey using the horizontal datums of North
American Datums of 1927 (NAD27) and 1983 (NAD83), the vertical datums of
National Geodetic Vertical Datum of 1929 (NGVD29) and North American
Vertical Datum of 1988 (NAVD88), and the local State Plane Coordinate
System;

\> Field classifying, verifying, or clarifying mapworthy features shown
on aerial photographs, lithos, or on compilation manuscripts; and

\> Surveying in support of ancillary data gathering.

**3.8.2.2 - Registered/Licensed Professional Engineer.**

All surveying work performed under this contract will be directed,
approved, and certified by a professional photogrammetrist,
registered/licensed professional engineer or registered land surveyor.

**3.8.2.3 - Deliverables/Task Orders.**

Deliverables associated with survey and control services could include:
the submission of original bounded survey books containing survey
observations and closures; a written evaluation of existing control;
documentation of survey traverse closure and level circuit closure
accuracies; aerial photographs, lithos, or other annotated with feature
classification markings; and submission of maps showing the physical
location of all required horizontal and vertical points, and monumented
control on or adjacent to the project area.

Task orders requesting field surveys will state the parameters,
limitations, and special conditions associated with the project area,
specify the horizontal and vertical datums to be used, and the
availability of GFP.

**3.8.3 - ANALYTICAL AEROTRIANGULATION**

**3.8.3.1 - General.**

The contractor shall have the equipment and expertise to perform fully
analytical aerotriangulation (AT) in accordance with Appendix C, Digital
Orthophoto Quadrangle (DOQ) Specifications and Requirements, for the
purposes of controlling aerial photography for subsequent use in
photogrammetric mapping, to support DOQ production, or in developing
other orthophotography products.

The contractor shall be capable of performing the following activities
associated with this requirement:

\> Determining optimum location, quality, and accuracy of all ground
surveyed control points used for controlling the AT adjustment;

\> Performing AT block adjustments using fully analytical techniques. AT
software shall be sufficiently rigorous to meet USGS requirements for
photogrammetrically derived control, both horizontal and vertical, and
be able to use as source control ground GPS, airborne GPS, conventional
control, or any combination of the three; and

\> Identifying and labeling contact (control) prints or diapositives
with all ground control and supplemental control points.

**3.8.3.2 - Deliverables/Task Orders.**

Deliverables associated with performing AT could include: a plot or
printout of the AT block adjustment showing the distribution of all
control points, passpoints, and tie points; digital control source files
(e.g., GPS, etc) of horizontal and vertical input control, adjusted
ground coordinates, refined photo coordinates, and measured occurrences
of the horizontal and vertical control with their respective residuals
(adjusted control point positions); a statistical summary of block
adjustments; a printout showing a cross-reference between control point
labels and AT point number assignments; and site sketches, other
pertinent field information (in addition to control lists), and contact
prints when new control is acquired.

Task orders will indicate the accuracy requirement of the AT adjustment;
the distribution, location, and minimum number of ground vertical and
horizontal control points necessary to control subsequent production
activities; and the required deliverables.

**3.8.4 - SCANNING SERVICES**

**3.8.4.1 - General.**

In general, the contractor shall have the equipment and expertise to
perform hard copy scanning and image scanning to produce raster files.
Specifically, the contractor shall be able to convert, through scanning,
aerial photographs into soft copy image files for use as photogrammetric
mapping source, or to create USGS DOQs or other orthophotography
products.

Additionally, the contractor shall be capable of performing the
following activities associated with scanning services:

\> Scan stablebase film reproductions with a \"real\" scan resolution at
a minimum of 1000 dots per inch (DPI);

\> Scan aerial photographs using an aperture size 15 microns (1700 DPI)
or smaller;

\> Properly geo-reference raster files to a theoretically known domain
through resampling and best-fit registration; and

\> Integrate, merge, register, and align a raster file with other raster
and vector files.

**3.8.4.2 - Deliverables/Task Orders.**

Deliverables associated with scanning services are DRGs conforming to
USGS specifications, or raster files of varying resolution and formatted
to a variety of common industry-recognized file formats.

Task orders will specify the desired scanning resolution or scanning
range, associated Standards, geo-referencing technique, degree of
resampling, color quantization scheme, output file format, filenaming
convention, and the nature and availability of GFP.

**3.8.5 - ORTHOPHOTOGRAPHY**

**3.8.5.1 - General.**

The contractor or subcontractor shall have the equipment, personnel, and
expertise to provide the USGS with USGS standard DOQs (or other forms of
digital orthophoto data files) in accordance with Appendix C, Digital
Orthophoto Quadrangle (DOQ) Specifications and Requirement, which
details the nature of GFP, specifications and requirements, and
deliverables associated with orthophotography.

Depending on the availability or suitability of GFP, the contractor may
be required to perform the following activities:

\> Acquire aerial photography in film or direct digital format;

\> Scan aerial film diapositives;

\> Obtain Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) observations, GPS
measurements, or appropriate ground control for use in an AT solution;

\> Identify AT control points and perform AT block adjustments; and

\> Produce USGS DEMs or other required elevation data from scanned hard
copy contour separates or other means to support DOQ creation.

Additionally, the contractor shall be able to perform orthophoto digital
rectification, produce digital orthophoto mosaics, and perform
horizontal datum transformations from NAD27 to NAD83 or to State Plane
Coordinate System.

**3.8.5.2 - Deliverables/Task Orders.**

In addition to DOQs and DEMs, other possible deliverables could include:
aerial photography (prints, diapositives, & soft copy), airborne GPS
data, ground geodetic control data, and digital orthophotomosaic files.
(Section 6 of Appendix C contains greater detail on possible
deliverables.)

Task orders requiring orthophotography and related products may be
written with reference to Appendix C, but may be modified, augmented, or
clarified to address special requirements.

**3.8.6 - ACQUISITION OF ANCILLARY DATA**

**3.8.6.1 - General.**

When ancillary data is unavailable, or when available ancillary data is
determined by the USGS to be unsuitable or insufficient, the USGS may
authorize the contractor to acquire data necessary to support
photogrammetric mapping. The contractor shall have the capability to
effectively research, obtain, and evaluate ancillary materials/data
which may entail: contacting various Federal, State, county, city,
public and private entities; researching various publications,
databases, and web sites; conducting surveys; and converting hard copy
or soft copy information sources for subsequent conflation or
integration with source data.

Any ancillary data acquired or owned by the contractor that the
contractor intends to use in the formation of the deliverable shall be
reviewed and approved by the USGS prior to its use. The contractor shall
also submit the acquired or owned ancillary data to the USGS with the
deliverable for inspection, along with a brief explanation stating how
and where the data were used. Any ancillary data acquired by the
contractor shall become USGS property upon receipt. Any ancillary data
owned by the contractor will be returned to the contractor after
deliverable acceptance.

**3.8.6.2 - Deliverables/Task Orders.**

Examples of ancillary data that the contractor may be authorized to
acquire may include, but is not limited to, any or all of the items
mentioned in Clause C303, 3.6.4 as being provided as GFP. Task orders
will state what ancillary data items will need to be acquired by the
contractor to supplement photogrammetric mapping.

**3.8.7 - MAP COLLECTION & REVISION**

**3.8.7.1 - General.**

In general, the contractor shall have the trained personnel and
equipment to perform photogrammetric stereo or monoscopic collection,
compilation or revision leading toward the creation of feature-oriented
or theme-oriented digital datasets, plot files, or finished graphic maps
in various scales, map projections, and datums.

Specifically, the contractor shall be:

\(1\) Able to produce unrevised USGS standard and non-standard DRGs,
DEMs, and DLGs collected from existing graphics in the form of scanned
original map separates, scanned lithos, DRGs, or other source;

\(2\) Knowledgeable with graphic revision procedures to produce USGS
graphic products (to include non-standard forms) from aerial
photography, scanned map separates, DOQs, DRGs, CFFs, or other source;
and

\(3\) Knowledgeable with digital revision procedures to produce USGS
DLG-3, National Hydro Dataset (NHD), revised DEM, replacement DRG, or
other standard and non-standard digital products from aerial
photography, scanned map separates, DOQs, DRGs, CFFs, or other source.

The contractor shall also be capable of performing the following
activities associated with this requirement:

\> Calculating and setting stereomodels for feature extraction;

\> Capturing or revising topographic and planimetric features that are
identifiable or interpretable from image source (primarily aerial
photography or DOQs) into specified data themes or categories in
accordance with X, Y, and Z positional, attribute, and content
accuracies associated with the requested standard or non-standard
product;

\> Identifying and establishing features, feature IDs, and feature
relationships using data conflation, integration, conversion
(predominantly DLG-3 to feature-based DLG), and feature building/joining
techniques to create customer-defined data \"packages\" such as NHD as
part of an overall feature-based DLG effort;

\> Developing and documenting the methods and procedures used by
photogrammetrists to mitigate unusual compilation circumstances or
difficulties, both on the project and individual quadrangle level;

\> Assimilating USGS-supplied, or contractor-obtained ancillary data of
various scales, projections, and datums (both soft copy and hard copy)
into the final digital or graphic product through the use of conversion,
conflation, and integration tools and methods;

\> Applying symbols to compiled or revised planimetric and topographic
features by analog or digital means in accordance with USGS (or other
organization) specifications;

\> Applying feature names to compiled or revised planimetric and
topographic features on graphic products obtained from existing sources
such as GNIS, TIGER, U.S. Board on Geographical Names, and other
sources;

\> Applying graphic \"collar\" information in accordance with
USGS-supplied style (layout) sheets and standards;

\> Performing cartographic scribing or drafting on scale-stable
materials for subsequent product generation;

\> Map editing for the purposes of ensuring compliance to content and
positional accuracy specifications, and proper feature labeling,
density, portrayal, and clarity, and,

\> Providing hard copy plots of digital data to support USGS inspection.

**3.8.7.2 - Equipment and Personnel.**

Analytical stereoplotters used by the contractor shall be capable of
automatically performing and adjusting interior, relative, and absolute
orientations, output statistical data thereof, transferring
horizontal/vertical control information, and generating digital data of
observed topographic/planimetric feature information into spatial layers
directly compatible with three-dimensional design file criteria.
Contractor personnel shall be skilled in photointerpretation, scribing,
and drafting.

**3.8.7.3 - Deliverables/Task Orders.**

In addition to a variety of unrevised and revised standard and
non-standard digital data, and plot files and DRGs for graphics, other
deliverables associated with this requirement could include: providing
the USGS with analytical plotter orientation parameters and statistical
outputs for each stereomodel setup; submitting a report on the methods
and procedures used at the individual or project level; producing
press-ready scribed map separates; providing validation plots; and
submitting a report on the use of ancillary data acquired or owned by
the contractor.

Task orders will identify the type of deliverable(s), along with their
appropriate specifications; nature, suitability, and availability of GFP
and ancillary information; datums, projections, and scales to be used;
the use of style sheets (when provided by the USGS); and examples
provided by the USGS as guides.

**3.8.8 - PRODUCT GENERATION**

**3.8.8.1 - General.**

The contractor shall have the equipment and trained personnel to perform
product generation services, which consist primarily of producing
graphic publication separates and other hard copy products from digital
plot files and scribed compilation manuscripts. This requirement may be
part of an overall graphic/digital compilation or revision mapping
request, or may be a standalone requirement to support NGPO mass
printing or publication efforts.

Specifically, using theme-oriented digital plot files of different
formats, or scribed compilation manuscripts, the contractor shall be
able to perform the following activities associated with product
generation:

\> Developing or using symbology tables, map projection software, and
performing scaling, i.e., enlargements and reductions;

\> Producing photographic film products, multiple-color proofs, or
color/B&W hardcopy graphic products. Photographic film products include
the range of film products associated with aerial photography (e.g.,
diapositives, contact prints), and film products associated with mass
producing paper maps. The contractor shall be capable of providing film
products for the latter having characteristics that fall within the
following parameters:

\(1\) Film material type may be clear, matte, or opaque-backed,

\(2\) Image may be positive or negative,

\(3\) Location of the image emulsion may be either \"right-reading\"
(i.e., located on top of film), or \"left-reading\" (emulsion located on
bottom of film) when the image \"reads\" correctly;

\(4\) Film material thicknesses may be specified up to, and including
.007 inch (.18 mm), and

\(5\) Film material sizes may range up to an estimated maximum of 30
inches by 48 inches (76.2 cm by 121.9 cm), although it is anticipated
that most requests will be for the 24 inches by 30 inches (61 cm by 76.2
cm) size; and

\> Punch registering film using the Standard Stoesser Punch system, or a
similar punch system which will not interfere with the NGPO later
repunching the materials using a Standard Stoesser Punch. Punch
registering film will be necessary when multiple thematic outputs are
requested to yield a single printed product. (The NGPO currently uses
Agfa Avantra 44 film recorders using a Standard Stoesser Punch system.)

**3.8.8.2 - Deliverables/Task Orders.**

Task orders shall state the characteristics of the plot files, the
desired characteristics of either the film or litho products, any
applicable standards, and what USGS symbology tables are available and
applicable.

**3.9 - THEMATIC MAPPING**

**3.9.1 - GENERAL.**

The contractor or subcontractor shall have the equipment, personnel, and
expertise to acquire, process, control, interpret, and integrate
multiple sensor image data to support mapping and data collection
projects, predominately thematic mapping.

Specifically, the contractor shall possess the necessary skills to
perform the following activities associated with thematic mapping:

\> Acquiring, interpreting, and processing data obtained from a variety
of single or multiple data sources, such as aerial photography and
satellite imagery, and elevation data obtained from airborne laser and
radar sensors, or other multi/hyper-spectral, multi-temporal,
multi-scale sensing devices;

\> Performing digital image processing skills, to include, at a minimum,
geo-registration, radiometric correction, rectification, mosaicing,
image enhancement, restoration, classification, feature information
extraction, and accuracy assessment;

\> Integrating digital image data with graphic ancillary data, which may
involve digitizing features, and involve classifying raster images
associated with land use/land cover classification schemes; and

\> Merging digital thematic layer(s) with other mapping databases to
enhance existing mapping databases to support geographic modeling in a
Geographic Information System (GIS) environment.

**3.9.2 - DELIVERABLES/TASK ORDERS.**

Deliverables associated with thematic mapping include datasets
representing, but not limited to: land characterization, terrain
modeling, plant vitality, soil moisture, thermal variance, and
vegetation themes. Task orders requesting thematic mapping deliverables
will specify such items as: the area of coverage, what active or passive
sensors are required, existing ancillary data, examples and references,
required data formats, parameters and limitations, the required image
sensing range, the classification scheme to be used, and the extent of
data rights.

**3.10 - OTHER REQUIREMENTS**

**3.10.1 - GENERAL.**

The NGPO anticipates requests for mapping, mapping support services, and
mapping assistance from agencies of a nature where the requirement
cannot be readily assigned to any of the previously described sections
in this contract. Examples of such requests could include:

\(1\) Providing data resulting from new, emerging hardware or software
technology for the purposes of testing and researching its usefulness
and viability in cartographic applications or geographical information
system (GIS) environments.

\(2\) Assemble, composite, convert, and reformat graphic map materials,
digital data, and other sources of map information on behalf of a
requesting agency for use in a GIS application, analysis study, or
research;

\(3\) Develop and test computer programming aids, such as translation or
conversion software, macros, routines, etc., to streamline map
production or product generation processes;

\(4\) Assist, coordinate, or review standards, specifications, or
procedural documents pertaining to mapping processes or applications,
quality assurance and quality control, or the technical use of mapping
tools or equipment;

\(5\) Remediation site mapping or other physiographic features that can
be mapped using traditional or unconventional mapping methods, in
support of hazardous waste disposal, terrain analysis, hydrologic
studies, natural and manmade hazards mitigation, etc.; and

\(6\) Perform, or assist in, quality assurance or quality control on
deliverables produced by other qualified contractors under contract with
the USGS, or on deliverables produced by various agencies under a
work-share agreement, innovative partnership, or similar agreement with
the USGS, in accordance with Clause 303, 3.12.

**3.10.2 - TASK ORDERS.**

Task orders will be written to accommodate customer needs and will cite
what standards apply (if any), available source and ancillary data,
timeframes, and other parameters associated with the mapping or mapping
assistance effort.

**3.11 - DIGITAL DELIVERABLES**

All vector and raster digital deliverables (including metadata files)
produced by the contractor shall be submitted in accordance with the
following:

**3.11.1 - ACCURACIES.**

The positional, content, attribution, and metadata accuracies for
digital deliverables shall conform to specifications stated in each task
order.

**3.11.2 - DELIVERY MEDIUM.**

All digital deliverables shall be submitted to the USGS by Internet
connection, unless an alternative delivery medium is requested by the
USGS in a task order. If alternative delivery medium is requested, the
delivery medium used by the contractor shall become USGS property upon
receipt.

**3.11.3 - FORMAT.**

Because some digital deliverables can be formatted differently, such as
DLGs, the digital data shall be formatted as stated in each task order.

3.11.3.1 - The digital deliverable shall be fully operational, by
translation or other process, on the operating system prescribed in each
task order. Examples of such formats include USGS, and
industry-recognized platforms such as Microstation, ARC/INFO, and ERDAS.
This requirement can be met by delivering data that conforms to an ANSI
or FGDC-approved profile of the Spatial Data Transfer Standard (SDTS).

3.11.3.2 - If requested by the USGS in a task order, the contractor
shall be able to submit deliverables compressed using
industry-recognized compression routines (e.g., UNIX compress utility),
and be able to digitally-link, or \"tar\" together, individual digital
deliverables to facilitate Internet transmission and subsequent USGS
validation and archival.

**3.11.4 - FILENAMING CONVENTION.**

For the purposes of identifying and tracking, each individual digital
deliverable shall be named in accordance with a filenaming convention
described in each task order.

**3.12 - DELIVERABLE VALIDATION**

Any one or a combination of three validation scenarios listed below are
possible. Task orders will specify who shall be responsible for
performing deliverable validation if other than the USGS, and what shall
constitute an acceptable validation procedure and supporting
documentation. Any errors found during the contractor\'s internal
review, or as of a result of validation shall be corrected by the
contractor at the contractor\'s expense:

**3.12.1 - USGS VALIDATION.**

The USGS shall perform validation in accordance with Clause E780 of this
contract.

**3.12.2 - CONTRACTOR VALIDATION.**

The contractor shall perform validation and present documented proof as
to the accuracy or performance of the deliverables in accordance with
guidelines specified by the USGS in task orders.

**3.12.3 - CUSTOMER or OUTSOURCED VALIDATION.**

An outsourced validator under contract with USGS or the customer shall
perform validation, if stated in the task order.

3.12.3.1 - In the event that validation is performed by an outsourced
validator, the identity of the contractor will remain anonymous. The
outsourced validator will perform a very complete independent QA/QC and
provide reports to the USGS to communicate with the contractor if there
are problems. If a deliverable is ultimately rejected by the USGS, the
outsourced validator will not be awarded the rejected project.

3.12.3.2 - Circumstances that might prompt utilization of an outsourced
validator to perform QA/QC of the contractor\'s deliverables include
start-up production of a new product or production of a very unique
deliverable, where the USGS may not have sufficient staffing to perform
a near 100% QA/QC.