[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 242 (Monday, December 18, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 65064-65065]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-30630]



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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Geological Survey


Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC); Application Notice 
Establishing the Closing Date for Transmittal of Applications Under the 
FGDC National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI) Competitive 
Cooperative Agreements Program for Fiscal Year (FY) 1996

AGENCY: U.S. Geological Survey. Interior.

ACTION: Notice inviting applications for competitive cooperative 
agreement awards for fiscal year 1996.

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SUMMARY: The purpose of the FGDC National Spatial Data Infrastructure 
(NSDI) Competitive Cooperative Agreements Program is to facilitate and 
foster partnerships and alliances within and among various public and 
private entities to assist in building the NSDI. The NSDI consists of 
policies, standards, agreements, and partnerships among a variety of 
sectors and disciplines that will promote more cost-effective 
production, ready availability, and greater use of high quality 
geospatial data. The NSDI Competitive Cooperative Agreements Program is 
intended to encourage resource-sharing projects, between and among the 
public and private sector through the use of technology, networking, 
and enhanced interagency coordination efforts. Proposals must involve 
two or more organizations and participants are expected to cost share 
in the project. Activities initiated under this program will promote 
development and maintenance of and access to data sets that are needed 
for national, regional, state, and local analyses. Authority for this 
program is contained in the Department of the Interior and Related 
Agencies Appropriations Act of 1996.
    Applications may be submitted by State and local government 
agencies, educational institutions, private firms, private foundations, 
and Federally acknowledged or state-recognized Native American tribes 
or groups.


[[Page 65065]]

DATES: The program announcement and application forms are expected to 
be available on or about January 15, 1996. Applications must be 
received on or before March 29, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Copies of Program Announcement 08187 may be obtained by 
writing to Kathleen Craig, U.S. Geological Survey, Office of 
Procurement and Contracts, Mail Stop 205A, 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive, 
Reston, Virginia 22092. (703) 648-7357.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Jennifer Snyder, FGDC, U.S. Geological Survey, 590 National Center, 
12201 Sunrise Valley Drive, Reston, Virginia 22092; telephone number 
(703) 648-5514; facsimile (703) 648-5755. Internet <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#3f5f5f585b5c7f4a4c584c11585049">``<span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="0a6d6e694a7f796d79246d657c">[email protected]</span></a>''.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under this FY 1996 program announcement, 
proposals are to be directed towards four components of the NSDI. The 
first component deals with creation of a distributed clearinghouse for 
finding and accessing geospatial data. Efforts considered applicable 
include the creation (inventory, evaluate, catalog data, and establish 
Internet access) and management of a node within the National 
Geospatial Data Clearinghouse that provides users with a means for 
finding, accessing, and sharing geospatial data; establish, develop, or 
expand programs or projects, through development of training programs, 
information guides and other explanatory materials, that increase the 
contributions of local, regional, or national data sets to the National 
Geospatial Data Clearinghouse; and, design, develop, or implement tools 
to assist in the inventory, evaluation, documentation, cataloging, 
serving, maintenance, and sharing of geospatial data or metadata.
    The second component involves development and promulgation of the 
use of FGDC-endorsed standards in data collection, documentation, 
transfer, and search and query. Applicable efforts include conducting 
programs to increase user comprehension and adoption of the FGDC 
Content Standards for Digital Geospatial Metadata and the Spatial Data 
Transfer Standard; developing software tools or techniques to aid the 
collection, comparison, evaluation, and maintenance of metadata; and 
stimulating the development of applicable geospatial data standards in 
partnership with the FGDC Subcommittees and Working Groups.
    The third component focuses on the initial implementation of 
creating a geospatial data framework that provides a base on which to 
collect, register, or integrate information accurately. Applicable 
efforts include conducting feasibility projects for implementing 
technical and institutional aspects of the framework; and, expanding 
programs or projects to incorporate data content, technical, 
operational, and business characteristics of the framework.
    The fourth component addresses developing and implementing 
educational outreach programs to increase awareness and understanding 
of the major NSDI components among members of the broader community. 
Applicable efforts involve providing programs and services to educate 
and train constituents on the purpose, benefits, and application of 
NSDI initiatives, networks, and standards.

    Dated: December 11, 1995.
William Gossman,
Acting Chief, Office of Program Support.
[FR Doc. 95-30630 Filed 12-15-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-31-M

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