Commercial Remote Sensing Data Contract

Fact Sheet 2005-3010 (January 2005)

General Information

The U. S. Geological Survey's (USGS) Commercial Remote Sensing Data Contracts (CRSDCs) provide government agencies with access to a broad range of commercially available remotely sensed airborne and satellite data. These contracts were established to support The National Map partners, other Federal Civilian agency programs, and Department of Defense programs that require data for the United States and its territories. Experience shows that centralized procurement of remotely sensed data leads to considerable cost savings to the Federal government through volume discounts, reduction of redundant contract administrative costs, and avoidance of duplicate purchases. These contracts directly support the President's Commercial Remote Sensing Space Policy, signed in 2003, by providing a centralized mechanism for civil agencies to acquire commercial remote sensing products to support their mission needs in an efficient and coordinated way. CRSDC administration is provided by the USGS Mid-Continent Mapping Center in Rolla, Missouri.

The USGS has negotiated advantageous CRSDC terms on behalf of purchasing organizations, including highly competitive pricing and the most flexible and least restrictive licensing arrangements offered to date by the commercial satellite remote sensing industry. The USGS is committed to negotiating data license agreements that allow the distribution of data within the public domain wherever practical. These data will be made available through The National Map, where purchased data with appropriate licensing will be directly accessible and downloadable.

Space-derived deliverables will include data listed in the contractor's standard commercial catalog that meet or exceed the requirements specified in the contract, and a license to use that data. A variety of airborne data, including digital orthorectified photography and radar data, also are available.

Contractors will process inquiries about data availability, process requests for data acquisitions, process orders for data products, and maintain up-to-date product documentation.

Data providers were selected based on technical capability and past performance. Contracts were awarded to firms that offered competitive pricing and flexible licensing packages.

Benefits of CRSDC

The Commercial data contracts negotiated by the USGS provide mechanisms to procure both new acquisitions and existing "off-the-shelf" data, which are increasingly being collected on speculation by satellite remote sensing companies or for specific clients, and subsequently offered for resale. Vendors also are developing and refreshing robust archives of high-quality, multi-resolution remotely sensed data, especially for populated areas and other areas of interest, such as the coastal zones.

Summary of CRSDC Advantages

• Single point access to obtain commercial aerial and satellite imagery.
• Technical analysis of customer requests, ensuring the right product the first time.
• Cost savings and efficiency through eliminating the need for multiple agencies to establish, administer, and maintain remote sensing data-purchase contracts.
• Lower cost structures, expanded licensing provisions, and other favorable terms and conditions for the Federal government and State and local government partners.
• Provides immediate access to quality-based data providers that are Industry Leaders.

Contract Costs

Contract costs are negotiated with appropriate vendors. The USGS maintains resident expertise to ensure purchasing organizations receive fair market value for the products they acquire.

Points of Contact

Contracting Officer's Representative
Mid-Continent Geographic Science Center (MCGSC)
Rolla, MO, 573-308-3654
tsault@usgs.gov

Customer Service Points of Contact–
crsdc@usgs.gov
573-308-3500

Any use of trade, product, or firm names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government. This document has undergone official review and approval for publications established by the National Mapping Discipline, U.S. Geological Survey. Some figures have been modified or added to improve the scientific visualization of information.

This document has undergone official review and approval for publications established by the Geography Discipline, U.S. Geological Survey.