As a covered agency under the Geospatial Data Act (GDA) of 2018, the Department of Treasury (Treasury) is required to 

“prepare, maintain, publish, and implement a strategy for advancing geographic information and related geospatial data and 

activities appropriate to the mission of the covered agency,” in support of the National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI) 

strategic plan.1

 The GDA defines geospatial data as “information that is tied to a location on the Earth, including by 

identifying the geographic location and characteristics of natural or constructed features and boundaries on the Earth, and 

that is generally represented in vector datasets by points, lines, polygons, or other complex geographic features or 

phenomena.”2

 

Treasury’s current strategy with respect to geospatial data is to ensure that Treasury’s geospatial datasets, currently quite 

limited, will follow the framework and strategy set forth by the Treasury Data Framework (TDF). Treasury will also align 

responsibilities from the GDA to the TDF to maximize the utility of Treasury’s geospatial data assets, particularly as such 

assets increase in scope. 

Background

Treasury has limited geospatial data in accordance with the Section 759 (b) of the GDA. Of the Treasury bureaus and 

departmental offices, only the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) currently has reportable geospatial data. 

Treasury GDA Responsibilities

In accordance with the GDA, this Strategy will ensure Treasury advances the use of geographic information and related 

geospatial data and activities in support of the NSDI Strategic Plan. For 2021 to 2024, NSDI Strategic Plan goals are: 

1. Implement the National Geospatial Policy and Governance Framework 

2. Advance the Maturity, Accelerate the Acquisition, and Expand the Sources of National Geospatial Data Assets 

3. Ensure Open Standards-Based Interoperability to Enable Geospatial Shared Services 

4. Enable and Promote Collaborative Governance and Partnerships.3

 

Alignment to the Treasury Data Framework (TDF) 

Treasury’s Data Vision is to become “a data-centric organization that fulfills its mission with optimal use of quality data in 

its decision-making and operations.”4

 Treasury’s Data Framework (TDF), which is currently in draft, will provide guidance 

and context with respect to Treasury’s use and management of data as a critical strategic asset, including geospatial data, both 

at a Treasury-wide level and individual bureaus and departmental offices. It is intended to serve as a vehicle for defining 

general roles and responsibilities with respect to the ongoing development of standards and procedures regarding data and 

data use. Within the TDF, all Treasury personnel will have roles in one or more of the four key contexts: Data use, Data 

Development and Management, Data Technology, and Data Policy. 

1 Geospatial Data Act of 2018, Section 759(a)(1) 2 ibid

3 https://www.fgdc.gov/nsdi-plan/nsdi-strategic-plan-2021-2024.pdf 

4Treasury Data Framework (Draft)

 Data Strategy for the Department of Treasury

Treasury Geospatial Data Strategy 

May 2021 

Treasury’s Geospatial Data Strategy will align with the following Tenets of the TDF:

 Strive to design solutions while keeping Treasury’s centralized objectives in mind 

 Strive for appropriate data sharing, employing modern security approaches to protect data, maintain its integrity, and 

ensure that privacy needs are upheld 

 Strengthen data-centric culture through customer focus and feedback 

 Leverage new secure capabilities over legacy solutions. 

 Implementation Responsibilities 

Treasury’s Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO) along with Chief Data Officer (OCDO) will oversee 

implementation of Treasury’s Geospatial Data Strategy. The OCIO and OCDO will coordinate with Treasury’s Data 

Governance Board, Data Advisory Council, Treasury CIO Council, and other critical Treasury stakeholders on 

implementation of these responsibilities.