NATIONAL	SPATIAL	DATA	INFRASTRUCTURE

STRATEGIC	FRAMEWORK

					

Federal	Geographic	Data	Committee

December	2016
NSDI	Strategic	Framework

December	2016

Federal	Geographic	Data	Committee	(www.fgdc.gov) 1

Contents

Part I:		Introduction .....................................................................................................................................2

Overview .........................................................................................................................................2

NSDI	Timeline ..................................................................................................................................3

National	Approach	for	the	NSDI .....................................................................................................3

Roles	and	Responsibilities ...............................................................................................................4

Emerging	Geospatial	Technology	Trends ........................................................................................4

Scope	of	Strategic	Framework ........................................................................................................5

Part	II:		Key	Federal	Responsibilities ..........................................................................................................5

Goal	1	– Expand	the	National	Geospatial	Platform ........................................................................5

Goal	2	– Enhance	the	Management	of	Federal	Geospatial	Assets	 .................................................6

Goal	3	– Update	the	National	Geospatial	Policy	Framework	..........................................................6

Part	III:		Opportunities	for	the	Greater	Geospatial	Community .................................................................7

Strategy	1	– Focus	on	National	Priority	Data	Initiatives	 .................................................................7

Strategy	2	– Rebrand	the	NSDI	to	Broaden	Awareness	and	Understanding	of	the Geospatial	

							Community ...............................................................................................................................8

Strategy	3	– Address	Emerging	Topics	............................................................................................9

Part	IV:		Challenges......................................................................................................................................9

Part	V: Conclusion .....................................................................................................................................10

Part	VI:	Appendices....................................................................................................................................11

FGDC	Member	Agencies	 ...............................................................................................................11

National	Geospatial	Advisory	Committee	and	FGDC	Collaborating	Partners	...............................12

Glossary	 ........................................................................................................................................13
NSDI	Strategic	Framework

December	2016

Federal	Geographic	Data	Committee	(www.fgdc.gov) 2

PART	I:		INTRODUCTION

Overview

Geospatial	data	is	a	critical	national	asset	that	has	increased	the	value	of	America’s	data	resources	and	

underpins	key	parts	of	the	economy. Dependence on	spatial	data	and	services	spans all	business	sectors,	

levels	of	government,	and	public	and	private	investments	today.	This	geographic	perspective	allows	

policy	and	decision	makers	to	bring	a	wide	variety	of	place-based	information	together	to	better	

understand	problems	and	develop	informed	solutions.	A	recent	study	by	the	Boston	Consulting	Group	

(BCG)	estimated	that	the	U.S.	geospatial	industry	generated	approximately	$73	billion	in	annual	revenue	

and	comprises	at	least	500,000	high-wage	jobs.	BCG	also	found	that	geospatial	services	deliver	efficiency	

gains	in	the	rest	of	the	economy	that	are	valued	at	many	times	the	size	of	the	sector	itself—with	

geospatial	services	driving	$1.6	trillion	in	revenue	and	$1.4	trillion	in	cost	savings.

1 These	benefits	create	

an	important	competitive	advantage	for	the	U.S.	economy,	and	create	a	growing	number	of	high-wage	

technology	jobs. Geospatial	data	and	services	are	now ubiquitous	and	integrated	into	almost	everything	

we	do,	resulting	in	significant	changes	in	citizen	and	economic behavior.		

Geospatial	technology	and	data	make	government	at	all	levels	more	efficient	and	effective.	For	example,	

policymakers	are	provided	tools	to	monitor	conditions	associated	with	the	outbreak	of	the	Zika	virus	and	

may	view predictive	models that	anticipate	its	spread	from	any	given	occurrence.	Interactive	flood	

modeling	allows	decision	makers	to	more	accurately	identify	populations	at	risk	for	flooding	due	to	

rising	waters	from	hurricanes	or	other	storm	events.	Scientific	analysis	of	the	impacts	of	climate	change	

on	food	production supports	the	adoption	of	sustainable	practices	that	increase food	security	for	all	

citizens.

The	National	Spatial	Data	Infrastructure	– the	NSDI	– provides	a	framework	for	the collaborative	

development	of	this	critical	digital	infrastructure	for	the	Nation.	This	document	provides	a	high-level	

plan	for	the	continuing	development	and	expansion	of	the	NSDI.

$73 billion

The U.S. geospatal services industry 

is a $73 billion business.2

500,000 jobs

The U.S. geospatal industry employs 

at least 500,000 people in ‘high wage’ 

geo-related jobs.2

1

 USGS, 2012

2

 Boston Consultng Group, 2012

3

 Data.gov, 2016

U.S. Geospatial Economic Impact

10%

Economic impact of geospatal services 

in marketng, logistcs, and strategic 

decision-making will grow by at least 

10% over the next fve years.2

$1.6 trillion

Geospatal services companies drive $1.6 

trillion in revenue and $1.4 trillion in cost 

savings throughout the U.S. economy.2

65%

The majority of records in the naton’s 

open data catalog are geospatal.3

$690 million

Economic beneft of 3D elevaton data 

in the U.S. is conservatvely estmated 

at $690 million per year.1
NSDI	Strategic	Framework

December	2016

Federal	Geographic	Data	Committee	(www.fgdc.gov) 3

National	Approach	to	the	NSDI

The	Federal	government	has	had	a	pivotal	impact	across	data,	technology,	and	services	fronts	in	

advancing	our	national	spatial	data	infrastructure	and	in	helping	to	fuel	innovation.	Since	its	inception,	

the	development	of	the	NSDI	has	had	bipartisan	support	across	several	Administrations.	However,	the	

role	of	government	in	the	geospatial	ecosystem	has	changed significantly	since	the	inception	of	the	

NSDI,	with	the	advent	of	both	flexible	technologies	to	enable	data	access	and	multiple	sources	of	

geospatial	data	that	are	not	government	controlled.	Increasingly,	tribal,	state,	local	and	regional	

governments,	as	well	as	the	private	sector,	non-profits	and	academia	play	a	critical	role	in	contributing	

to	the	national portfolio	of	geospatial	data.	Local	governments	manage	some	of	the	richest	and	highest	

resolution	data,	such	as	local	roads,	addresses,	and	parcels.	Private	firms	collect	and	manage	data	both	

for	their	own	use	and	for	use	by	public	entities,	while	also	integrating	publicly	funded	data	into	

commercially-available	services.		

The	NSDI	requires	a	national	approach	that	is	coordinated,	shared,	and	comprehensive	across	

governmental,	commercial,	and	academic sectors.	Multiple	stakeholders	are	needed	to	

provide the data,	services,	and	supporting	framework	for an NSDI that	is seamless,	open, and	accessible.	

Service	delivery	should	be dependable and	integrated	into	existing	user	devices	and	services.	A	

NSDI	Timeline

• 1994:		Executive	Order	12906	established the	National	Spatial	Data	Infrastructure	(NSDI) as	“the	

technology,	policies,	standards,	and	human	resources	necessary	to	acquire,	process,	store,	

distribute,	and	improve	the	utilization	of	geospatial	data.”	The	Executive	Order	also	created	the	

Federal	Geographic	Data	Committee	(FGDC),	with	responsibility	to	coordinate	the	development	

of	the	NSDI	across	government.		

• 2002:		The	Office	of	Management	and	Budget	(OMB)	issued	a	revised	version	of	Circular	A-16,	

“Coordination	of	Geographic	Information	and	Related	Spatial	Data	Activities,”	describing	FGDC’s	

responsibilities	for	the	development	of	the	NSDI	and	detailing	agencies’	roles	and	

responsibilities.

• 2003:		Executive	Order	13286	amended	and	reaffirmed	Executive	Order	12906,	incorporating	the	

newly-created	Department	of	Homeland	Security.

• 2006:		OMB	Memorandum	M-06-07	required	agencies	to	designate	a	Senior	Agency	Official	for	

Geospatial	Information	(SAOGI).

• 2008:		The	Department	of	the	Interior	established	the	National	Geospatial	Advisory	Committee	

(NGAC)	– composed	of	representatives	from	all	levels	of	government,	the	private	sector,	nonprofits	and	academia	– to	provide	advice	and	recommendations	on	national	geospatial	policy	

issues	and	the	development of	the	NSDI.

• 2010:		OMB	issued	Supplemental	Guidance	to	Circular	A-16,	requiring	identification	of	specific	

datasets	that	are	to	be	managed	as	National	Geospatial	Data	Assets	(NGDAs)	through	a	

geospatial	portfolio	management	process.

• 2013:		FGDC	adopted	the	“NSDI	Strategic	Plan	2014-2016,”	which	included	an	updated	Vision:

“The	NSDI	leverages	investments	in	people,	technology,	data,	and	procedures	to	create	

and	provide	the	geospatial	knowledge	required	to	understand,	protect,	and	promote	

our	national	and	global	interests.”
NSDI	Strategic	Framework

December	2016

Federal	Geographic	Data	Committee	(www.fgdc.gov) 4

successful,	integrated	geospatial	data infrastructure will	fuel	smart	policy	decisions,	cost	savings,	

enhanced	service	delivery,	and	other	efficiencies.

A	national	approach	will	also	enable	the	resources	needed	by	U.S.	programs	such	as	the	U.N.	Global	

Geospatial	Information	Management	(UNGGIM),	the	Arctic	Spatial	Data	Infrastructure	(Arctic	SDI),	and	

the	Group	on	Earth	Observations	(GEO),	to	influence	and	support	international	geospatial	initiatives	and	

the	formation	of	compatible	spatial	data	infrastructures.

Roles	and	Responsibilities

The	NSDI	is	based	on	a	complex	set of	interagency	and	intergovernmental	arrangements	and	publicprivate	partnerships.	This	multi-faceted	web	of	relationships	enables	creative	interaction	among	sectors	

and	collaborative	development	of	new	products, approaches,	and	technologies.	However,	the	complex	

nature	of	the	NSDI	also	poses	challenges	to	effective	coordination	and	governance.	Roles	and	

responsibilities	for	the	components	of	the	NSDI	will	vary	among	data	themes	and	datasets,	as	they	

relate	to	partner	organizations.	Some	National	Geospatial	Data	Asset	(NGDA) datasets	are	most	

appropriately	stewarded	from	the	bottom	up,	with	local	governments	producing	data	that	can	be	

aggregated	at	the	state	or	federal	level.	Other	datasets	may	best	be	addressed	through	federal	

enterprise	programs	that	are	informed	by	and	serve	the	broader	public	sector	mapping	ecosystem.	In	

other	cases, agencies	may	collaborate	on	enterprise	acquisitions	of	commercial	data.	A	primary	

objective	of	the	NSDI	planning	process	is	to	define	specific	approaches	– in collaboration	with	partners	–

that	make	sense	for	different	data	components	and	applications	of	the	NSDI.	Another	key	focus	for	the	

NSDI	is	to	ensure	coordination	and	alignment	with the	National	System	for	Geospatial	Intelligence	

(NSG).	Executive	Order	12333 established	the	Director	of	the	National	Geospatial-Intelligence	Agency	as	

the	Functional	Manager	for	Geospatial	Intelligence	(GEOINT).		The	Director	established	the NSG	to

contribute	to	the	overall	advancement	of	the	GEOINT	function.		

Emerging	Geospatial	Technology	Trends

The	National	Geospatial	Advisory	Committee	has	identified	a	set	of	important	technology	trends	that	

will	impact	the	geospatial	community	and	will	require	continued	collaborative	planning	and

consideration	across	sectors.	These	trends	include	the	following:

• Integration	and	interaction	of	real-time	data	collection	and	analysis

The	ability	to	continuously	create	and	interact	with	real-time	spatial	and	temporal	data	is	

transforming	the	ways	in	which	geographic	data	are	now	collected,	mapped,	modeled,	and	

used,	both	in	geography	and	in	science	and	society	more	broadly.	This	trend	is	realigning	

traditional	relationships	and	driving	new	geospatial	applications	in	governments,	businesses,	

and	society.	

• Miniaturization	of	technologies

Miniaturization	to	create	small	and	inexpensive	devices	and	sensors,	along	with	nearly	

ubiquitous	wireless	connectivity,	is	driving	an	explosion	of	the	Internet	of	Things.	Miniaturized	

and	lower	cost	sensors	are	leading	to	dramatic	increases	in	data	collection	and	quality,	and	the	

ability	to	tailor	sensors	to	specific	data	collection	needs.

• Proliferation	of	new	mobile	geospatial	sensor	platforms

The	rapid	miniaturization	of	technologies	has	enabled	new	platforms	for	sensor	distribution,	

such	as	small satellites	(smallsats)	and	unmanned	aircraft	systems	(UAS,	or	“drones”)	that	can	
NSDI	Strategic	Framework

December	2016

Federal	Geographic	Data	Committee	(www.fgdc.gov) 5

be	rapidly	designed	and	deployed.	These	mobile	geospatial	sensor	platforms	greatly	expand	the	

capability	of	individuals,	businesses,	and	governments	to	collect	volumes	of	remotely	sensed	

data	for	purposes	including	disaster	response,	environmental	monitoring,	and	public	safety.	

• Expanding	wireless	and	web	networks

The	expansion	of	data	collection	tools,	and	the	resulting	volumes	of	real-time	spatial	and	

temporal	data,	requires	improved	methods	for	data	transmission	and	distribution,	including	

wireless	and	web	networks.

• Advances	in	computing	speed,	visualization	tools, and	capacity	for	geospatial	data	application

High	performance	computing	networks	and	cloud	computing	services provide	individuals	with	

access	to	vast	repositories	of	geospatial	data,	tools,	and	services,	as	well	as	channels	through	

which	they	can	contribute	to	these	repositories.	Visualization	tools	are	being	enhanced	to	

include	third dimensional	and	virtual	reality techniques	to	explore and	analyze	data.

Scope	of	Strategic	Framework

This	high-level	NSDI	Strategic	Framework	has	been	developed	through an	analysis	of	the	2014-2016	

NSDI	Strategic	Plan	and	the	incorporation	of	input	and	requirements	from	non-federal partners	and	

constituents,	including	the	National	Geospatial	Advisory	Committee	and	the	organizations	represented	

by	its	members.	The	FGDC	also	held	a	series	of	outreach	meetings and	listening	sessions	to	gather	input	

from	key	partners.	These	inputs	have	included	forums	for	leaders	of	key	geospatial	organizations,	

workshops	for	Federal	leaders,	sessions	at	geospatial	professional	conferences,	and	public	meetings	of	

the	FGDC	Coordination	Group,	the	FGDC	Steering	Committee,	and	the	National Geospatial	Advisory	

Committee.	The	FGDC	community	has	made	notable	progress	over	the	past	three	years	in	driving	

activities	such	as	the	development	of	the National	Geospatial	Platform	(GeoPlatform.gov),	the	

establishment	of	the	Geospatial	Interoperability Reference	Architecture	(GIRA),	and	the	enhancement	of	

the	National	Geospatial	Data	Asset	(NGDA) portfolio	management	process.	However,	significant	work	

remains	to	achieve	the	vision	of	the	NSDI.	In	order	to	continue	this	progress,	this Strategic	Framework

identifies	three	major	goals	for	the	Federal	community	to	address	and	three	strategies to	work	

collaboratively	with	the broader	geospatial	community	of	practice. The	FGDC	community	will	engage	

with	the	new	administration	in	2017	to	refine	this	Framework	and	collaboratively	develop	

implementation	approaches	to	address	the	goals	and	strategies	included	in	this	document.

PART	II:		KEY	FEDERAL	RESPONSIBILITIES	

The	following	goals	and	objectives	are	primarily	the	responsibility	of	the	Federal	community	but	will	

require	tribal,	state,	local	and	regional	government	participation	to	ensure	success.	

Goal	1:		Expand	the	National	Geospatial	Platform

GeoPlatform.gov	is	the	national	capability for	geospatial	data	and	maps.	It	currently enables	powerful	

collaboration	and	sharing	of	information	to	support	better	government	and	transparency.	FGDC	will	

work	with	partners	to	build	on	the	success	of	the	GeoPlatform	by	developing	new	communities	and	

soliciting	participation	from	tribal,	state, local,	and	regional	governments and	the	private	sector	to	

expand	opportunities	to	the	broader	geospatial	community. This	includes	continued	registration	of	

federal	and	non-federal	geospatial	data	sources	and	continued	alignment	with	the	Department	of	

Homeland	Security's	Geospatial	Information	Infrastructure	(GII).	The	GII	provides	Homeland	Security	
NSDI	Strategic	Framework

December	2016

Federal	Geographic	Data	Committee	(www.fgdc.gov) 6

Enterprise	(HSE)	users	operating	in	a	sensitive	environment	the	ability	to	seamlessly	leverage	

unclassified	geospatial	content	registered	within	GeoPlatform.gov for	analysis	and	shared	situational	

awareness.

• Objective	1.1:	Develop	additional	interagency	communities	and	solicit	mutually	beneficial	

participation	from	tribal,	state,	local,	and	regional	governments.

• Objective	1.2:	Extend	the	capabilities,	expand	the	services,	and	enhance	the	data	provided	by	

the	GeoPlatform.

• Objective	1.3:		Increase	the	number	and	variety	of	common	analytical	services	and	tools	that	

promote	ready	access	to available	National	geospatial	resources.	

• Objective	1.4:		Ensure	the	GeoPlatform	provides	easy-to-use	data,	applications,	and	services	

hosted	on	a	secure	cloud	infrastructure	that	maximizes	interoperability; allows	better	managed	

geospatial	data; increases	sharing	and	reuse	of	resources; and	stimulates	innovation	and	

entrepreneurship.

Goal	2:		Enhance	the	Management	of	Federal	Geospatial	Assets

Promote	the	development,	management,	and	accessibility	of	consistently	documented	spatial	data	

across	the	geospatial	community.	FGDC	will	work	with	data	stewards	and	partners	to	refine	the	National	

Geospatial	Data	Asset	(NGDA)	portfolio	management	initiative	based	on	best	practices	and	lessons	

learned.	

• Objective	2.1:		Enhance	NGDA	portfolio	management	capabilities	through	activities	including:

- Continued	enhancement	of	dataset	maturity	assessments.

- Development	of	implementation	plans for	NGDA	Data	Themes,	including	milestones	and	

performance	indicators.

- Coordination	with	the	Coalition	of	Geospatial	Organization	(COGO)	to	align	the	NGDA	

portfolio	management	process	with	COGO’s	NSDI	Report	Card	process,	with	a	particular	

focus	on	development	and	tracking	of	NSDI	framework	layers.

- Support	and	training	for	NGDA	Theme	Leads	and	Dataset	Managers.

• Objective	2.2:		Promote development	and utilization	of	national	and	international	standards	

applicable	to	the	geospatial	community	through	activities	including	the	following:

- Continue and	broaden Federal	participation	in voluntary	standards	organizations	to	

support	development	of key	geospatial	standards.

- Support	and	enhance	agency	implementation of applicable	geospatial	standards.

- Consider recommendations	of	the	NGAC	Standards	Coordination	Subcommittee.

• Objective	2.3:		Promote	increased	access	to	geospatial	data	and	services utilizing	enterprise	

approaches	when	appropriate.

Goal	3:		Update	the	National	Geospatial	Policy	Framework

The	policy	framework	guiding	national	geospatial	programs	and	activities	needs	to	be	updated	to	reflect	

significant	changes	in	technology,	the	expanded	use	and	value	of	geospatial	information,	and	the	

evolving	roles	of	partner	organizations.	Executive	Order	12906,“Coordinating	Geographic	Data	
NSDI	Strategic	Framework

December	2016

Federal	Geographic	Data	Committee	(www.fgdc.gov) 7

Acquisition	And	Access:	The	National	Spatial	Data	Infrastructure,”	was	issued	in	1994. OMB	Circular	A16,	“Coordination	of	Geographic	Information	and	Related	Spatial	Data	Activities,”	was	last	updated	in	

2002.	Revisions	to	the	NSDI	policy	framework	and	funding/partnership	model	are	needed	to	more	

effectively	support	and	enable Federal	geospatial	programs	and	the	broader	geospatial	community.		

• Objective	3.1:		Review	and	revise	OMB	Circular	A-16	in	collaboration	with	OMB	and	

stakeholders	to	update	the	guidance	to	federal	agencies	for	collection	and	management	of	

geospatial	assets to	support	national	priorities.			

• Objective	3.2:	 Incorporate	the	OMB	Circular	A-16	Supplemental	Guidance,	which	was	issued	in	

2010,	into	the revised	version	of	A-16.	The	content	of	the	Supplemental	Guidance,	which	

describes	a	portfolio	management	approach	for	National	Geospatial	Data	Assets	(NGDAs),	

should	be	updated	to	reflect	the	recommendations	of	FGDC’s	recent	NGDA/portfolio	

management	evaluation	process.

• Objective	3.3:		Consider	developing	new	policy	direction	through	an	updated	Executive	Order	or	

through	working	with	Congress	on	enabling	legislation	to	codify	NSDI	requirements.

PART	III:		OPPORTUNITIES	FOR	THE	GREATER	GEOSPATIAL	COMMUNITY	

The strategic opportunities	identified	for	the	national	geospatial	community	in	furthering	the	

development	of	the	NSDI	cannot	be the	sole	responsibility	of	the	Federal	community.	These	strategies	

and	supporting	actions will	require	the	engagement	and	participation	of	all	levels	of	government,	

academia,	and	the	private	sector in	order	to	achieve	maximum	impact. The	Federal	geospatial	

community,	under	the	leadership	of	the	Federal	Geographic	Data Committee,	can	serve	a	catalyst	for	the	

success	of	these	initiatives.	Developing	strategies	and	actions for	the	greater	geospatial	community	may

most	effectively	be	achieved	through	collaboration	among	stakeholders	and	partners.	As	a	starting	

point,	this	Strategic	Framework	identifies	strategies	and	possible	actions	to	address	these	opportunities.

Strategy	1:		Focus	on	National	Priority	Data	Initiatives

Engage	with	the	greater	geospatial	community	to	collaboratively	develop	identified	national	priority	

data	sets,	which	may	include:	Address	Data,	3D	Elevation,	Imagery,	Transportation,	and	Open	Water	

Data.	Document	best	practices	and	lessons	learned	from	the	collaboration	and	partnerships	to	replicate	

for	future	initiatives.	Key	players	include	data	stewards,	data	providers,	stakeholders,	and	users	for	each	

of	the	priority	data	sets.

• Action	1.1:		Designate	and	empower	executive	champions	to	lead	and	coordinate	the	

development	of	the	priority	datasets	with	appropriate	partners.	 Collaborate	with	appropriate	

partners	and	utilize	project	management	strategies	to	coordinate	implementation	of	priority	

datasets.

• Action	1.2:		Develop	national partnerships	and governance	models	for	priority	data	initiatives.

Build	formal	relationships	and	define	roles	and	responsibilities	for	geospatial	community	

stakeholders.	
NSDI	Strategic	Framework

December	2016

Federal	Geographic	Data	Committee	(www.fgdc.gov) 8

• Action	1.3:		Align	with	the	National	System	for	Geospatial	Intelligence	(NSG).		Engage	with	the	

National	Geospatial-Intelligence	Agency	and	the	Department	of	Homeland	Security	to	

harmonize	and	coordinate	NSDI,	NSG,	and	Homeland	Security	Enterprise	(HSE) activities.		

• Action	1.4:		Expand	FGDC	subcommittee/working	group	membership. Subcommittee	and	

work group	chairs	will	evaluate	membership	and	reach	out	to	include	underrepresented	

geospatial	community	participants.	

• Action	1.5:		Host	forums	to	enable	participation	by	the	greater	geospatial	community.		Use	

geospatial	community	and	industry	forums	to	supplement	subcommittee	and	working	group	

activities	on	national	priority	data	initiatives.	

• Action	1.6:		Promote/highlight	existing	partnerships.		Share	information	about	successful	

collaborations.	

FGDC	and	its	partners	should	also	consider	additional	activities,	including the	following:	

• Increase	communication	and	outreach	to	key	geospatial	community	participants.

• Incentivize	and	promote	partnerships	and	participation	by	non-federal	entities.

• Establish and	enable	data	exchange	models	and	partnerships.

• Create	partnerships	and	models	to	fund	national	datasets.

Strategy	2:		Rebrand	the	NSDI	to	Broaden	Awareness	and	Understanding	of	the	Geospatial	

Community

Raise	awareness	and	understanding	of	the	impact	of	geospatial	information	and	its	role	as	part	of	critical	

national	infrastructure.	Develop	an	NSDI	community	communications	effort	that	engages	a	broad	range	

of	partners	in	building	and	conveying	the	NSDI	message.	Engage	current	and	emerging partners	to	

address	national	issues	and	priorities	and	demonstrate	the	value	of	geospatial	information	to	quality	of	

life,	economic	development	and	jobs,	security	and	public	safety,	and	global	competitiveness.		

• Action	2.1:		Establish	partnerships.		Reach	out	to	key	geospatial	organizations	to	form	a	

partnership/joint	effort	to	lead	the	initiative	to	explore	the	rebranding	of	the	NSDI	and	further	

the	discussion.		

• Action	2.2:		Create	a	communications	network. Identify	Points	of	Contact	with	professional	

organizations	to	share	information	and	solicit	ideas	&	feedback.	

• Action	2.3:		Conduct	a	Geospatial	Leaders	Summit.		Invite	geospatial	professional	organizations	

and	industry	leaders	to	a	Summit	meeting	to explore	new ideas,	build	consensus	on	rebranding	

the	NSDI,	and	improve	ongoing	communication	and	engagement	efforts.

• Action	2.4:		Conduct	user	forums	at	industry	conferences.		Identify	3	-	5	industries	dependent	

on	geospatial	information	in	order	to	conduct	business.	Attend,	present,	and	facilitate	sessions	

at	identified	conferences.	

• Action	2.5:		Launch	a	public	engagement	campaign.		Develop	and	execute	a	

communications/marketing	strategy in	collaboration	with	partners.	Focus	on	social	media	to	

build	awareness	and	understanding	of	the	power	of	geospatial	technology.	Consider	podcasts,	
NSDI	Strategic	Framework

December	2016

Federal	Geographic	Data	Committee	(www.fgdc.gov) 9

web videos,	and	blogs.	Include	infographics,	compelling	examples	of	geospatial	technology	at

work,	and	social	media	utilizing	guest	postings,	etc.	

Strategy	3:		Address	Emerging	Topics

Collaborate	with	the	greater	geospatial	community	and	other	partners	to	address	key	emerging	issues,	

including	cyber	infrastructure	protection,	geospatial	privacy,	and	education	and	training	for	the	21st

century	geospatial	workforce.

• Action	3.1:		Address	Emerging	Technologies.		The	NSDI	community	needs	to	assess	and	plan	for	

emerging	technology	trends	and	their	impacts	on	the	geospatial	landscape.	These	trends	

include:

- Data	collection	and	generation utilizing	new	technologies	and	platforms.

- Data	analytics supporting	analysis	of	big	data,	multi-dimensional	data,	and	

spatiotemporal	data.

- Infrastructure to	support	growing	needs	for	collection,	processing,	storage,	delivery,	

and	protection	of	data	and	systems.

- Access	to	technology	and	data through	changes	in	wireless	systems	and	internet	access,	

and	how	we	protect	sensitive	information.

• Action	3.2:		Engage	with	partners to	address	national	priorities.		Expand	and	leverage	

partnerships	with	governmental,	private	sector,	and	academic	stakeholders	to	address	critical	

national	issues. Explore	development	of	a	matrix	approach	in	addressing	national	issues.

• Action	3.3:		Build	workforce	development	strategies.		Collaborate	with	partners	to	develop	

skills	training for	the	next	generation	of	spatial	analysts,	as	well	as	consideration	for	how	we	

broaden	and	diversify	the	spatial	workforce.

• Action	3.4:		Utilize	the	NGAC	to	reach	out	to	emerging	partners.		Collaborate	with	the	

organizations	represented	on	the	National	Geospatial	Advisory	Committee	to	build	new	

partnerships	with	industry	groups,	other	levels	of	government,	and	other	organizations	to	

address	emerging	issues	that	will	impact	the	geospatial	community.

PART	IV: CHALLENGES

The	geospatial	technology	field	is	at	a	remarkable	point	in	its	evolution,	presenting	an	opportunity	to	

rethink	the	deployment	and	use	of	these	resources	across	the	geospatial	community.	The	revolutionary	

changes	in	geospatial	technology	and	applications	and	the	growing	visibility	of	geospatial	technology	

across	all	sectors	of	the	economy	are	leading	public	sector	agencies	to	realign	geospatial	strategies	and	

investments	to	meet	the	needs	of	newly	geospatial-savvy	information	consumers.	More	and	more,	

citizens	expect	government	to	provide	geospatial	data	and	services	to	them	in	their	specific	areas	of	

interest.	While	these	dynamic	changes	provide	significant	opportunities,	the	geospatial	community	will	

also	need	to	address	barriers	and	challenges,	including	the	following:

• Coordinating within	the	Federal	geospatial	community.		Congress authorizes	and	provides	

appropriations	for	agencies	to	fulfill	their	mission	responsibilities,	and	collaborative	interagency	

projects	and	initiatives	are	sometimes	regarded	as	of	secondary	importance.	In	addition,	multi-
NSDI	Strategic	Framework

December	2016

Federal	Geographic	Data	Committee	(www.fgdc.gov) 10

agency	approaches	can	face	funding	and	authorization	constraints.	Geospatial	activities	must	be	

coordinated	across	civilian	agency,	intelligence	community,	and	military	domains.	In	this	

context,	the	challenge	for	the	FGDC	community	is	to	develop	and	utilize effective	and	reliable	

multi-agency	partnerships	to	achieve	common	geospatial	goals. One	example,	the	BiggertWaters	Flood	Insurance	Reform	Act,	authorizes shared	resources	across	federal	agencies.

• Building	effective	partnerships	with	non-Federal	partners.		As	the	NSDI	has	evolved,	nonFederal	organizations	and	governments	have	taken	a	greater	role	in	geospatial	data	production	

and	have	developed	new	levels	of	capability	and	expertise.	This	changing	landscape	requires	

similar	changes	in	partnership	arrangements.	Partnerships	and	agreements	should	be	tailored	

based	on	the	nature	of	the	relationship	– some	will	be	formal	service-level	agreements	and	

others	will	be	more	informal	collaborative	partnerships	to	better	serve	the	public.	

• Acquiring	and	aligning	resources.		As	geospatial	data	and	technology	have become	growing	

components of	the	Nation’s	critical	digital	infrastructure,	ensuring	an	appropriate	and	reliable	

level	of	resources	has	become	an	issue	of	increasing	importance.	The	challenge	for	the	FGDC	

community	is	to	align	financial	and	human	resources	to	support	changing	and	evolving	

technologies,	priorities,	and	partnership	opportunities.

PART	V:		CONCLUSION

The	role	of	government	in	the	geospatial	ecosystem	has	changed	significantly	since	the	inception	of	the	

NSDI.	State	and	local	governments	now	manage some	of	the	richest	and	highest	resolution	data,	such	as	

local	roads,	addresses,	and	parcels.	While	significant	progress	has	been	made,	new	and	improved

partnerships	must	be	established	to	enhance	the	NSDI,	spur	innovation,	help	protect	lives and	

resources,	build	the	economy, and	help	ensure	that	the	U.S. retains	its	global	leadership	in	spatial	data	

infrastructures.	Continued	investment	in	and	establishment	of	shared	data	resources	and	services,	

increased	development	of	national	data	collections,	and	a	national	approach	to	strategic	direction	are

required	to	achieve	this	vision.	This	NSDI	Strategic	Framework	provides	a	coordinated	approach	for	the	

continued	and	sustainable	development	of	the	national	spatial	data	infrastructure.

 1 The	Boston	Consulting	Group,	June	2012,	Geospatial	Services:	A	$1.6	Trillion	Growth	Engine	for	the	U.S.	

Economy,	accessed	December	6,	2016,	at	https://www.bcg.com/documents/file109372.pdf
NSDI	Strategic	Framework

December	2016

Federal	Geographic	Data	Committee	(www.fgdc.gov) 11

PART	VI:		APPENDICES

FGDC	Member	Agencies	

The	Federal	Geographic	Data	Committee	is	organized	under	the	authority	of	OMB	Circular	A–16	(revised	

2002)	and	Executive	Order	12906.	In	accordance	with	Circular	A–16,	the	FGDC	is	chaired	by	the	

Secretary	of	the	Interior	(or	designee),	and	the	OMB	Deputy	Director	for	Management	(or	designee)	

serves	as	Vice	Chair.	The	FGDC	includes	the	following	member	agencies:	

• Federal	Communications	Commission*	

• General	Services	Administration	

• Library	of	Congress	

• National	Aeronautics	and	Space	Administration	

• National	Archives	and	Records	Administration	

• National	Capital	Planning	Commission*	

• National	Science	Foundation	

• Office	of	Management	and	Budget	

• Office	of	Personnel	Management	

• Small	Business	Administration	

• Smithsonian	Institution	

• Social	Security	Administration

• Tennessee	Valley	Authority	

• U.S.	Agency	for	International	Development	

• U.S.	Army	Corps	of	Engineers*	

• U.S.	Department	of	Agriculture	

• U.S.	Department	of	Commerce	

• U.S.	Department	of	Defense	

• U.S.	Department	of	Education	

• U.S.	Department	of	Energy	

• U.S.	Department	of	Health	and	Human	Services	

• U.S.	Department	of	Homeland	Security	

• U.S.	Department	of	Housing	and	Urban	Development	

• U.S.	Department	of	the	Interior	

• U.S.	Department	of	Justice	

• U.S.	Department	of	Labor	

• U.S.	Department	of	State	

• U.S.	Department	of	Transportation	

• U.S.	Department	of	the	Treasury	

• U.S.	Department	of	Veterans	Affairs	

• U.S.	Environmental	Protection	Agency	

• U.S.	Nuclear	Regulatory	Commission	

*Non-voting	members	
NSDI	Strategic	Framework

December	2016

Federal	Geographic	Data	Committee	(www.fgdc.gov) 12

National	Geospatial	Advisory	Committee	

The	National	Geospatial	Advisory	Committee	(NGAC)	is	a	Federal	Advisory	Committee	established	by	the	

Department	of	the	Interior	to	provide	advice	and	recommendations	related	to	management	of	Federal	

and	national	geospatial	programs,	development	of	the	NSDI,	and	implementation	of	OMB	Circular	A–16	

and	Executive	Order	12906.	The	Committee	reviews	and	comments	on	geospatial	policy	and	

management	issues	and	provides	a	forum	to	convey	views	representative	of	non- Federal	stakeholders	

in	the	geospatial	community.	The	NGAC	includes	representatives	from	all	levels	of	government,	the	

private	sector,	nonprofit	organizations,	and	academia.	Additional	information	about	the	NGAC,	including	

a	list	of	committee	members,	is	available	at	www.fgdc.gov/ngac.	

FGDC	Collaborating	Partners

Many	organizations	throughout	the	United	States	have	a	stake	in	building	the	National	Spatial	Data	

Infrastructure	(NSDI)	together.	The	FGDC	welcomes	participation	by	state,	local	and	tribal	governments,	

the	academic	community,	and	the	private	and	non-profit	sectors	in	building	the	NSDI. Non-federal	

organizations	may	serve	as	Collaborating	Partners	by	requesting	official	stakeholder	status	in	writing	to	

the	Chair	of	the	FGDC. Collaborating	Partners	are	encouraged	to	participate	on	subcommittees	and	

working	groups and	provide	input	into	all	decisions. The	current	Collaborating	Partners	are	the	

following:

• American	Society	of	Civil	Engineers

• Association	of	American	Geographers

• Cartographic	Users	Advisory	Council

• Geospatial	Information	&	Technology	Association

• International	City/County	Management	Association

• National	Association	of	State	Chief	Information	Officers

• National	Association	of	Counties

• National	League	of	Cities

• National	Society	of	Professional	Surveyors

• National	States	Geographic	Information	Council

• Open	Geospatial	Consortium

• University	Consortium	for	Geographic	Information	Science

• Urban	and	Regional	Information	Systems	Association

• Western	Governors'	Association

In	addition	to	these formally-recognized	Collaborating	Partner	organizations,	FGDC	member	agencies	

work with	a	wide	variety	of	partners	and	stakeholders	on	data	and	technology	initiatives	and	other	

common	issues.		
NSDI	Strategic	Framework

December	2016

Federal	Geographic	Data	Committee	(www.fgdc.gov) 13

GLOSSARY	

Federal	Geographic	Data	Committee (FGDC): Executive	Order	12906	created	the	Federal	Geographic	Data	

Committee	(FGDC),	with	responsibility	to	coordinate	the	development	of	the	NSDI	across	government.		

Geospatial	Information	Infrastructure	(GII):		The	Department	of	Homeland	Security	GII	is	operated	by	HSE	users	

nationwide	as	a	Secure	But	Unclassified,	reliable	platform	for	geospatial	visualization,	analysis,	and	collaboration	

on	diverse	sets	of	mission-critical	geospatial	information.	The	GII	is	federated	with	Geoplatform.gov	to	provide	HSE	

users	the	ability	to	seamlessly	leverage	unclassified	geospatial	content	registered	within	Geoplatform.gov	for	

analysis	and	shared	situational	awareness.	Together,	Geoplatform.gov	and	the	DHS	GII	are	core	components	of	the	

NSDI,	enabling	national	geospatial	information	sharing	required	to	plan,	rehearse,	and	execute	missions	to	protect	

and	secure	the	Homeland.		

Geospatial	Interoperability	Reference	Architecture	(GIRA):		An	oversight	framework	for	executive	leadership	to	

manage	geospatial	program	and	acquisition	decisions	and	to	provide	technical	architecture	guidance	on	the	

design and	implementation	of	interoperable	geospatial	solutions.	

Geospatial	Platform	(GeoPlatform.gov):		A strategic	national	resource	that	provides	a	suite	of	well-managed,	

highly	available,	and	trusted	geospatial	data,	services,	and	applications	for	use	by	Federal	agencies—and	their	

State,	local,	Tribal,	and	regional	partners	to	meet	their	mission	needs	and	the	broader	needs	of	the	Nation.

Homeland	Security	Enterprise	(HSE):		The	Department	of	Homeland	Security’s	effort	to	align	the	disparate	

elements	of	the	Department	with	integrated	results-based	operations	to	gain	wide-ranging	efficiencies	that	

leverage	the	economies	of	scale	into	a	single	enterprise.

National	Geospatial	Data	Assets (NGDA):		OMB	Circular	A	-16	Supplemental	Guidance	established	the	concept	

that	geospatial	data	is	a	capital	asset	and	laid	the	foundation	for	a	portfolio	management	approach.	NGDA	

Datasets	are	assets	that	have	been	designated	by	the	Federal	Geographic	Data	Committee	(FGDC)	Steering	

Committee	and	meet	at	least	one	of	the	following	criteria:	(1)	supports	mission	goals	of	multiple	Federal	agencies;	

(2)	statutorily	mandated;	or	(3)	supports	Presidential	priorities	as	expressed	by	Executive	Order	or	by	OMB.

National	Spatial	Data	Infrastructure (NSDI):	 Executive	Order	12906	established	the	National	Spatial	Data	

Infrastructure	(NSDI) as	“the	technology,	policies,	standards,	and	human	resources	necessary	to	acquire,	process,	

store,	distribute,	and	improve	the	utilization	of	geospatial	data.”

National	System	of	Geospatial-Intelligence (NSG):		Executive	Order	12333	established	the	Director	of	the	National	

Geospatial-Intelligence	Agency	as	the	Functional	Manager	for	Geospatial	Intelligence	(GEOINT).	The	Director	

established	the	NSG	to	contribute	to	the	overall	advancement	of	the	GEOINT	function.	The	NSG	can	be	viewed	as	

an	integrated,	collaborative	community	of	GEOINT	professionals	embedded	with	our	operational	and	national	

partners	to	meet	their	warfighting	and	intelligence	needs.

OMB	Circular	A-16:		The	Executive	Branch	guidance	document	that	provides	direction	for	federal	agencies	that	

produce,	maintain,	or	use	spatial	data	either	directly	or	indirectly	in	the	fulfillment	of	their	mission	and	provides	

for	improvements	in	the	coordination	and	use	of	spatial	data.	The	Circular	also	describes	effective	and	economical	

use	and	management	of	spatial	data	assets	in	the	digital	environment	for	the	benefit	of	the	Federal	Government	

and	the	Nation.	OMB	issued	Supplemental	Guidance	to	A-16	in	2010	that	established	the	concept	that	geospatial	

data	is	a	capital	asset	and	outlined	a	portfolio	management	approach.